Overview

• Archaeologists in Germany discovered a centuries-old skeleton of a middle-aged man with a 'sophisticated' iron prosthetic hand near St. George parish church in Freising, indicating advanced medicine and artisanship of the period.
• The iron and non-ferrous metal prosthetic hand was intricately designed with individually formed fingers, likely covered with leather for functionality, and probably strapped onto the stump of the left hand that was missing all its fingers except for the thumb.
• Radiocarbon dating reveals that the man died between 1450 and 1620, likely between ages 30 and 50, aligning with a period of frequent military activity, such as the Thirty Years' War, which likely increased the need for amputations.
• Despite being immobile, the prosthetic reflects a forward-thinking approach to improving the quality of life for amputees during this era, and it is one of only approximately 50 similar prosthetics known from Central Europe during the late Middle Ages and early modern times.
• These findings contribute to the understanding of prosthetic technology's evolution, which has significantly advanced over time, moving from heavier materials like iron to lightweight ones like carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel, adding functionalities like nerve-controlled movements.