The clothing is composed of a cap, hide coat, grass cloak, leggings, belt, loincloth and a pair of shoes. It is remarkable that no woven materials were used, only tanned leather and a grass clock. The stitching threads were made mainly of animal sinews and only in part plants, above all, grasses and to a lesser extent, bast.
The iceman was fully and efficiently equipped for his last trip into the high mountains. This enabled him to look after himself for a long time while he was away from home. He was also in a position to repair or replace by himself any piece of equipment which got damaged. In particular, the rationality and functionality of this equipment are worth emphasizing.
The iceman is preserved in his own specially designed cold storage chamber. The block consists of two identical cold chambers with independent refrigeration systems. The mummy is kept in one of them, at a temperature of-6c and ralative air humidity of 98%. An examination room and a decontamination room precede the chambers.
The Iceman find provides us with an unprecedented insight into the daily life and appearance of a Copper Age inhabitant of the Alps over 5000 years ago. Under normal conservation conditions, items of clothing and equipment made of organic materials would have disintegrated long ago. Ötzi carried an extensive and efficient kit which allowed him to remain away from home for long periods and to be self-reliant. With his tools he would have been able to repair damaged items and fashion new ones.