Treasure Hunters Find an Ancient, Bronze 'Prosthetic' Hand in Switzerland; 'Never Seen Anything Like It'

In 2017, treasure hunters uncovered possibly an ancient prosthetic hand from Switzerland. The site of the discovery was near Lake Biel and all the garnered treasures were sent for analysis to the Bern Archaeological Service, stated All That's Interesting. The findings from the burial site were determined to be unique and one-of-a-kind by experts.  

Researchers claimed that the prosthetic hand was cast in bronze. On the wrist section of the artifact, experts noted a gold foil cuff. Inside the hand, there was also an attachment, which researchers think helped the whole item to get mounted. A glue-like material was detected between the foil and wrists, which underwent radiocarbon dating examination. The outcome indicated, that the object dated back to 1400 to 1500 B.C., or the middle Bronze Age. Along with the alleged prosthetic hand, archaeologists also uncovered items like a bronze dagger and rib bone from the same location. 

Swiss archaeologists claimed that the prosthetic was the earliest metal representation of a human body part found to this date in Europe, stated National Geographic. As per analysis, it was made from more than one pound of bronze.

Experts were ecstatic about getting the opportunity to examine the hand-shaped object, as per ATI. They approached the investigation from many inquisitive angles, regarding the item's authenticity as well as nature. "We had never seen anything like it," said Andrea Schaer, head of the Ancient History and Roman Archeology Department at the Bern Archaeological Service. "We weren’t sure if it was authentic or not – or even what it was."

Their examinations led to several theories. One of them being that the object served as an emblem or insignia for the buried individual, and was laid to rest alongside him. Though researchers are not rejecting the claim that the prosthetic was a replacement for an actual hand, the individual lost. However, the condition of the artifact does not seem to back it. Experts suggest that the prosthetic was too delicate to be able to serve as someone's prosthetic limb. Other proposals made by experts include the item being part of a statue, placed on a stick like a specter, or a ritual-specific prosthetic. 

Archaeologists revisited the burial site after the original discovery. After seven weeks of excavations, the team unearthed a bronze spiral, a bronze pin, and pieces of gold foil, which matched the one detected on the prosthetic hand's wrist. A broken part of the prosthetic artifact, which was determined to be the finger, was also located in the destroyed grave. This indicated to researchers that the individual was buried with the prosthetic hand. The most prominent discovery was the bones researchers spotted at the site. The bones were determined to be of a middle-aged man, who archaeologists believe was the owner of the prosthetic hand.

The discovery stands apart for experts because metal objects are not typically found in Bronze Age burials. Researchers further pointed out that gold was also a unique presence for Bronze Age burials in Switzerland. "The fact that we know of thousands of Bronze Age graves and have never found anything like this shows it’s pretty special," Stefan Hochuli, head of the Department of Monument Preservation and Archaeology said. "It gives us a glimpse into the spiritual world of this society – and it’s a lot more complex than we often think."

The prosthetic made researchers realize that there is still a lot they don't know about Bronze Age societies, stated National Geographic. "Finds like this remind us how many gaps there still are in our knowledge about the past," Hochuli said. “It gives us a glimpse into the spiritual world of this society – and it’s a lot more complex than we often think.” The artifact is set to go on display next month.