Schröter and the Man from the Ice

Our day-to-day lives as model builders are constantly filled with exciting and unusual challenges.

For once, this project isn’t about a vehicle in the traditional sense; rather, it’s about enabling rapid transport. And who is to be transported? None other than the approximately 5,300-year-old Iceman.

This year, the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology approached us with this unusual request. The goal of the project is to design and build an emergency recovery case for Ötzi to ensure his quick, safe, and easy retrieval. The current case is made of solid wood; it’s bulky, heavy, and showing its age. This means that a quick and easy retrieval—for example, in the event of a building fire—isn’t really guaranteed.

Image of the current Ötzi box © M. Samadelli/South Tyrol Archaeology Museum\Eurac via Eurekalert/dpa

Since we found the project extremely exciting, we decided to participate in the official call for proposals issued by the South Tyrolean Museum of Archaeology.

Shortly after the project began, we received a digital clone of the glacier mummy to serve as the basis for designing the case. Due to the unusual position of the arms, the case required a custom shape.

Miniature 3D print of Ötzi © Schröter

Start of design work on the new emergency rescue kit. © Schröter

The interior lining of the crate had to be precisely tailored to the fragile body of the ice mummy in order to provide the best possible support and prevent damage even during a hectic rescue operation.

Open view of the final emergency rescue kit. © Schröter

In addition, the interior of the transport box is completely lined with non-flammable soft foam. This ensures that the ice mummy remains securely in place inside the box.

Emergency responders can quickly and easily place the ice mummy into the lower section of the box. The upper section of the box can be securely inserted from above thanks to its flush exterior contour. The box features four sturdy carrying handles to ensure safe transport.

Installation of the emergency rescue kit. © Schröter

For stability and safety reasons, the box’s outer shell is constructed of 2 mm lightweight aluminum.

All quick-release fasteners, handles, and carabiner attachments are from the latest series designed for aviation expedition boxes; they are exceptionally lightweight and very sturdy.

View of the final version of the emergency rescue kit. © Schröter

Professor Oliver Peschl, chief curator of the Ice Mummy, inspects the display case © Schröter