Dolomites: Day 6

/ alliwanders

Bolzano

Today was Museum Day. First up was the Otzi Museum (technically the South Tyrol Archeological Museum). Who or What is Otzi? He is the famous Iceman discovered in a melting glacier on a mountain ridge not far from here in 1991. Naturally mummified by the elements he has been carbon dated to have lived between 3350 and 3100 B.C., therefore 5350 to 5100 years ago!

He’s pretty special in that all his clothes, hunting gear, weapons, tools, even his little basket to carry embers wrapped in fresh maple leaves to start a fire were preserved too, offering an unprecedented look at how people back then ate, traveled, traded, dressed, tools they used, etc. Plus scientists could get amazing medical knowledge too: his DNA, his teeth (age and where he lived), his bones (osteoarthritis, Lyme disease), blood type, stomach contents (diet), even that he was lactose intolerant!

Photography wasn’t allowed in the museum but all his belongings were on display with very good info panels, plus we got a glimpse of him in his freezer through a little window. Here’s some pics lifted from the internet:

Now kept @ same conditions as found to maintain his preservation: -6°C, 100% humidity. Sprayed to keep his protective ice layer. There’s even a backup freezer just for Otzi at the local hospital in case this one breaks
His bearskin cap. I wonder if he did all those tiny stitches himself….
His actual shoe! Bearskin sole (furry side in and stuffed with hay to keep warm) and a twine frame
Otzi lived just as Copper Age was starting so his dagger is stone but his axe (head) is copper
Only complete Copper Age axe ever found

Oh! And there’s a mystery too! He was found high up in a very remote place, hunting maybe? But how did he die? He was murdered!! Someone shot him with an arrow from a great distance. Why???

We were allowed to snap pics of his re-creation.

My theory is he was wearing a furry bear hat, goatskin leggings, a cloak made out of goat & sheep skins – maybe someone with bad eyesight just thought he was dinner…? Anyway, I had seen the Nova episode (highly recommend watching) and was pleased to see this museum in person.

After lunch I strolled up to Schloss Runkelstein, a 13th Century castle with a multitude of impressive frescoes.

Thought this might be it but it’s actually just a medical clinic
This is it but trees blocked my taking a good photo so this is from an old brochure

In a nutshell: “Schloss Runkelstein began in 1237…however, its moment of glory was the year 1385, when the castle was acquired by the bourgeois Vintler brothers. As they wanted to compete with contemporary nobles, they commissioned unique frescoes for the whole structure: an exceptional portrayal of that courtly world, noble dress and jousting tournaments. Up to the present day Runkelstein Castle hosts the largest cycle of secular medieval frescoes.

Oldest bit is the Keep in center, 1237 + 1385
Some frescoes are the originals; others, like these, are 16th century.
The Summer Palace, from 1400
This representation of King Arthur’s Round Table is one of the most ancient.
Later residential wing that now houses kitschy hands on displays.

A nice outing and a decent couple miles walk to & fro. Saw some more castles on the return:

Lovely and cool in the shade back to Bolzano

And that was my day. I have a midday train back to Venice tomorrow. Will spend the night in Mestre then fly out in the morning to Montenegro. More in a couple of days…..