Copper in Ötzi the Iceman’s ax came from surprisingly far away

Analysis hints that long-distance trade network connected present-day central and northern Italy

Ötzi the Iceman’s ax

BLADE TRADE  Copper for Ötzi the Iceman’s ax, or possibly even the finished blade, came from what’s now central Italy, an unexpectedly long way from the ancient man’s home region in northern Italy.

© South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology

Ötzi the Iceman’s copper ax was imported.