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Archaeological Society

AT A recent talk to the society, Clive Hudson presented the story of Ötzi – the well-preserved body found in 1991 high in the Alps on the Austro-Italian border.

He began the talk closer to home by outlining a dig at Garreg Hylldrem near Cilfor where a shell midden was found in a rock shelter.

Classed as an archaeological site dating back to the Stone Age, the dig had progressed over a number of years finding shell deposits both in the shelter and in the rock layer behind it. Worked flint shards were also abundant.

The link with Ötzi came when a small flint arrowhead was found – slightly similar to the one that killed him high in the Alps. It was small but well worked and shown to the audience who were able to compare it to the alpine arrowhead on the screen. The arrow had nicked an artery so he had most probably bled out in minutes.

A definite murder case but they had not plundered his bow, arrows or fine copper-bladed axe so maybe the motive was revenge.

Found in September 1991, the body had been uncovered by a glacier melting and had been well preserved under the ice. Despite rough handling in digging the body out the find encapsulated life 5,300 years ago in the Middle Stone Age, or Neolithic era.

After a dispute between Austrian and Italian authorities regarding to whom the body “belonged” a compromise was reached whereby experts from both countries would analyse the remains and as a survey put the point of discovery slightly in Italy, the museum would be in that country.

His clothing and artefacts were well preserved so much so that Clive was, after visits to the Ötzi Museum in the mediaeval Italian city of Bolzano, has been able to reproduce some of them from scratch. The audience were able to view the reproduction axe, bow and arrows and other smaller items exquisitely made.

Clive described the items and the methods used in reconstruction including the casting of the copper blade from scratch. The delicate stitching of the flights of the arrows was an exact reproduction of the method used on the original. All of this would not have been possible without the help and advice of the staff at the Ötzi Museum whose work in preserving the body and the artefacts from decay is remarkable.

The talk ended with a 10-minute video of the journey made by Clive and his son Glyn from North Wales to the actual location where the body was found. A long journey to the area via campervan, then the long trek up the Alps to the Similaun range to an overnight stay at the mountain refuge. The views not only helped the audience appreciate the remoteness of the location but also appreciate how much global warming had reduced the glacier over the last 20 years but also the amazing views of the area.

Society member Dr Ian Brooks thanked Mr Hudson for his highly informative talk and presentation of replicas, echoed by the audience.

The next talk will be on Thursday, 20 April, when Gareth Jones will show old pictures of the area. The talk will be bilingual and held at the Day Centre, Y Ganolfan, at 7pm for 7.30pm and sponsored by Magnox Trawsfynydd. It will be preceded by the AGM.

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