German researchers have discovered a rare prosthetic arm dating back to the 15th century. This find is rare, as only 50 similar prostheses are known in Central Europe.
Archaeologists in Germany recently came across a centuries-old skeleton missing several fingers on its left hand. Arkeonews writes that the marks on the preserved bones indicate a possible amputation, but what surprised the researchers was the prosthesis that replaced the missing fingers.
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The discovery took place at St. Petersburg in Freising. It was made during the laying of a pipeline near the parish church of St. George. Using radiocarbon dating, scientists determined that the person wearing the prosthesis was a man between 30 and 50 years old who died between 1450 and 1620.
About 50 similar prostheses are known from Central Europe from the late Middle Ages and early modern period. Some were simple, fixed replacements, while others had mechanical components. After the discovery of this prosthetic arm, it was subjected to a comprehensive examination and taken under protection by the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of Monuments.
Head of the Conservation Department of the Bavarian State Monument Protection Agency, Dr. Walter Irlinger said: “Four fingers were added to the hollow prosthesis on the left hand. The index, middle, ring and little fingers were made of sheet metal and fixed. The replica fingers are parallel to each other and slightly curved. The prosthesis was “probably attached to the stump of the arm with straps.”
It is not known exactly how this man lost his arm and what this prosthesis was used for. A eroded thumb bone was found inside the prosthesis. It was seen that the structure was covered with leather and there were traces of crumpled fabric on the inside of the fingers. The iron hand also had a gauze-like fabric inside, which probably acted as a spacer between the stump of the hand and the metal.
Important
There were numerous military conflicts in Central Europe during the late Middle Ages and early modern times, and amputations were common. Freising itself was subject to military attacks during events such as the Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648), which may have led to an increased need for prosthetics.
One of the famous names of this period who used a prosthetic arm was the knight Goetz von Berlichingen, who lost his right arm in a cannon fire during the Siege of Landshut in 1530. His prosthesis was surprisingly advanced for its time, with its mobility and complex technical features.
Previously Focus He wrote about time travel through art. 500,000-year-old tools were discovered in a 15th-century painting.
We also mentioned a coin that revealed the name of a previously unknown ruler of Iron Age Britain.
Source: Focus
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