BS: Iceman was a herdsman

Subject: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: Goose Gander
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 03:32 PM

The iceman was a herdsman, according to researchers.

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: Jeri
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 04:01 PM

Interesting.
Don't 'senior writers' have proofreaders too? "while donned in a coat and leggings" - sheesh!

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 05:51 PM

Nothing wrong with "donned in" to mean "wearing".

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: semi-submersible
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 08:08 AM

I thought "don" and "doff" (shortened from "do on" and "do off") were done BY a person TO a garment IN a place. Nothing is wrong with "robed in," "wrapped in," or better yet "dressed in" or "wearing," but "donned in" sounds mighty strange. McG of H, have you heard of anyone else being "donned in" clothes?

The article says his clothes were made from our favourite domestic herd beasts, but fails to establish that he herded.

Perhaps he did follow the herds, when he wasn't smithing (high levels of copper and arsenic in his hair point to time spent around a forge). With legbones that did an unusual amount of hiking compared to other Copper Age men, he may have been shepherd, trader, hunter, mystic, or a commuter between migrant tribe and immovable forge. Or all of the above. You need a wide skill set to live without money or shops. Of course, you live a lot longer if you're in a tribe. Gathering (the figurative bread and butter of subsistence) is most efficient and pleasant in teams. Even the best hunter comes up empty most days. Sharing keeps everyone fed and safe most days of the year.

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 10:18 AM

I agree, semi. It is jumping to conclusions to say that the man was a herder simply because he wore clothes derived from sheep and cattle.

I wear clothes derived from cotton plants and petroleum, but that doesn't make me a farmer or an oilman.

Maybe he was a wandering minstrel and a highwayman (in those days they would have been mere trackmen) attacked him.

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 11:31 AM

Maybe he was done in by a jealous sheep herder?

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: Bee
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 12:32 PM

Maybe he was just hiking over the mountains regularly to court a girlfriend. My Grandfather used to do a ten hour horse and sleigh trip over-mountain (well...CB Highlands foothill) every Sat. to visit his courtin' prospect, and back on Sunday. Maybe he was done in by a jealous rival. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: gnu
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 12:41 PM

That's what I said. Tongue in cheek.... I ALMOST did... but even I wouldn't.

Subject: RE: BS: Iceman was a herdsman
From: Bee
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 02:08 PM

GNU! (swat!)