'Otzi' grass cloak 

I would like to begin this paper with a new conclusion I made while making a replica of an 'Otzi' (The Ice Man) grass cloak for Expo 2000 in Hanover this year. In 1997 I had the opportunity to examine the 'Otzi' grass cloak prior to making a replica for the museum in Bolzano where 'Otzi' was to be exhibited. The details of the cloak's construction were revealed in a paper I read for the EAA conference in Goteburg two years ago. In the archaeology there was a cord on the top of the cloak indicating that the cloak was worn slightly off the shoulder. The reason that the cloak had to be made in this way is because in order to plait in enough grasses to make the cloak thick enough to repel the elements, the plait had to be a certain length. This year I have made another two cloaks for the Bolzano museum, one for the museum itself (as a result of tourists taking 'souvenirs' of the grasses) and the second for the 'Otzi' exhibit for Expo 2000. It has always been somewhat of a curiosity that while 'Otzi' was very well protected from the elements from his shoes to this bearskin cap, the shoulder area was so exposed. It occurred to me that there might have been another part to his cloak that was not discovered with his body; this could have been a small grass shoulder cape that could have been worn over the top of the main cloak to protect his neck from the cold. There is no way of knowing if he did wear such a cape (unless of course it is found), but due to the necessity of making the long neck plait, this area could not be covered by one grass garment. It is not inconceivable, I feel, that this type of addition was worn to complete his weatherproof outfit