Medieval skeleton unearthed with ‘unusual body part’ after 400 years leaving scientists baffled by ‘extraordinary find’
AN IRON prosthetic hand from medieval times was discovered attached to an ancient skeleton.
The 15th-century prosthetic hand was found in Freising, Germany, and gives evidence of early prosthetic technology and medical innovation.
The prosthetic hand is said to be an extraordinary archaeological discovery that is truly remarkable for its time.
The Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation announced the find on Friday in a release.
Dr. Walter Irlinger of the Bavarian State Office for Monument Preservation explained the intricacy of the hand.
He explained that it was a clever, original, and inventive piece of medical tech from medieval times.
It is believed to have also come equipped with straps to properly latch onto the owner.
“The hollow hand prosthesis on the left hand added four fingers,” Iringler said.
“The index, middle, ring, and little fingers are individually formed from sheet metal and are immovable.
“The finger replicas lie parallel to each other, slightly curved.
“Presumably the prosthesis was made with straps on the stump of the hand-tied up.”
It was found during an excavation near the Church of St George.
The skeleton was carbon dated and they believe the man was between ages 30 to 50 when he died.
They also suggested that the man lived and died sometime between 1450 and 1620.
There was a surge in the evolution of prosthetics at the time as soldiers would get injured and lose body parts at the time.
The area was a part of the Thirty Years War which resulted in tons of injuries and amputations.
The tech involved with the hand makes it exceptional.
However, it is not rare to find prosthetic body parts from this time.
There are currently 50 known prosthetic devices that have been dated back to the Middle Ages and early modern period in Central Europe.