Ötzi the Iceman's copper axe was 99.7% pure

Ötzi the Iceman's copper axe was 99.7% pure. Ötzi the Iceman died around 3300 BCE (5,300 years ago) Found in the Alps on the Italian/Austrian border in 1997 His copper axe was 99.73% pure

Ötzi's copper axe was 99.7% pure with lead isotopes from Tuscany. His hair was full of arsenic - proving he worked professionally with copper 5,300 years ago ⚒️

Key Facts

• Ötzi the Iceman died around 3300 BCE (5,300 years ago)
• Found in the Alps on the Italian/Austrian border in 1997
• His copper axe was 99.73% pure
• Main contaminant was arsenic, second was lead
• Lead isotopes were traced to mines in Tuscany
• His hair was full of arsenic - indicating he worked with copper professionally
• Arsenic bronze hardens itself during use without becoming too brittle
• Archaeologists don't accept this level of metallurgy in the timeframe

Related site: Banc Tynddol Bronze Age Burial, Find Spot of The Banc Tynddol Sun Disc — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.

Source: Ep. 6 - The Shaman and the Philosopher - Rick Osmon by Institute for Natural Philosophy