1. Cap
The letters A U S T R I A are embroidered on the visored cap, implying the name of Austria. It is thought that this object was used to protect from the sun, to hide bald spots or enhance the wearer’s appearance. It is made of different types of petroleum-based plastics, such as polyester.
2. Sunglasses
Red sunglasses were primarily used for protection from the sun, to blend in or as a fashion statement. It is believed that the choice of the colour, red, was not fortuitous but intentional. This is because the colour of the cap and the glasses is the same, implying a certain sense of self-awareness, fashion and public image. Its composition is made of petroleum-derived plastic.
3. Hiking pole
Mainly used as a support to provide stability for the Tourist sapiens or as an aid for those less physically fit. It is also suspected that it was an object of social status among the Tourist sapiens montafonis. The lighter, stronger and more retractable it was, the greater the economic power of its wearer. It may also have been used as a weapon for offence and defence in the event of a clash between Tourist sapiens on the trails. It is made of various petroleum-derived plastics and metal.
4. Jacket with hunter, deer and dog
This garment was used to protect against the cold and was the direct ancestor of the jackets we wear today. On the fabric, embroidered patterns can be seen reflecting the importance of local folklore of the area in material culture: a hunter with his dog hunting deer. Its composition is polyester, a plastic derived from petroleum.
5. Hair (plastic fibres)
It is thought that these plastic fibres were the hair of Tourist sapiens. Perhaps, the large amount of microplastics in its habitat was ingested by it and was subsequently transformed into hair, as a form of protection of the body, potentially expelling these microplastics though the scalp. Its composition is plastic derived from petroleum.
6. Water bottle
Made of a very light metal and plastic, derived from petroleum, it was used to store H2O, an essential resource for our life, common at that time and so precious today. This object could be washed by hand, not in a dishwasher, to be reused later, demonstrating sustainable practices. It is also believed to be able to keep water fresh for longer hours.
7. Neck warmer
This is an element of Tourist sapiens clothing. Inscriptions can be seen that are believed to be from a tourist advertisement. It could therefore have been distributed free of charge by a private company to convert Homo sapiens into Homo tourist sapiens, perhaps as a religious and cult element. It is speculated that because of its size, it would have been worn around the neck or on the head. It is made of polyester, derived from petroleum.
8. Semmel bag
This item is the one that has puzzled scientists the most. It is made of plastic, derived from petroleum and wheat flour. On the one hand, it is believed that it could be an ornament that was hung over the shoulder to store things, but there is also the suspicion that it could have been and edible supply to feed the Tourist sapiens on long hikes in the mountains. There is also the possibility that it was an ornamental object of veneration and worship, as the semmmel was an essential element in the life of the common Austrian.
9. Duck belt
This is an item of Tourist sapiens clothing, intended to be worn around the waist. It is in the shape of a duck, probably sacred to the culture of Austria in the 21st century c.e. It is made of plastic, petroleum derivatives and metal.
10. Sock
This is another item of Tourist sapiens clothing. It was used to warm the feet and to prevent the boots from damaging the Tourist sapiens’ feet. It is made of polyester, derived from petroleum.
11. Apron
This is another item of Tourist sapiens clothing. It is believed to have been used to cover the lower parts of the body and to protect other garments. It is made of polyester, derived from petroleum.
12. Mini Austria pennant
The famous “Austrian pennant”, the first object found at the excavation, is thought to have also been for veneration and worship, as a symbol of national and moral support during hikes, when held in the hand, placed in hair, or attached to clothing. Its composition is cellulose, wood and polyethylene, derived from petroleum.
13. Paper handkerchief
This object was used to clean some parts of the body and was discarded in nature. It is made of cellulose.
14. Metal and plastic hook
It is not very well known what this object was used for, but it is believed that it was used to hold or close another object that contained something inside, perhaps food to keep the Tourist sapiens alive. Its composition is plastic, derived from petroleum and metal.
15. Fragment of plastic or paper (undertermined)
Neither the origin nor the use of this object is known, but it was undoubtedly something brought by Tourist sapiens to this habitat. Its composition is cellulose and plastic, derived from petroleum.
16. Wet wipe
This object was used to clean some parts of the body and was discarded in nature. Compared to the paper handkerchief, its structure is thicker, softer and more absorbent, so it probably originally had liquid inside. Traces of human faeces have also been found inside. Its composition is cellulose and plastic, derived from petroleum.
17. Shoe label
It is conjectured that this object was part of the clothing of Tourist sapiens as a kind of barcode is visible. It could show the origin of the garment. Its composition is cellulose and plastic, derived from petroleum.
18. Cigarette butt
Although cigarettes no longer exist in our times, there is a large bibliography in our historical annals of what these addictive and highly harmful objects were and what they were used for. Specifically, here we have the end of a cigarette, known as the cigarette holder. We know that after consumption, this part was thrown into nature as a social habit. Its composition is cellulose acetate, a plastic derived from petroleum.
TOURIST SAPIENS 