Human arm bone from England
500-1000 CE
Replica of Anglo-Saxon copper arm bandage with human arm bone, English, 500-1000
This is a copy of an original curved copper bandage that was found around the arm of an Anglo-Saxon skeleton, discovered in a cemetery during an archaeological dig. Dating from 500-1000 CE, the original is now at Reading Museum.
Beneath the thin copper layer the remains of plant material were found. It is believed that these were medicinal plants applied to a wound in an attempt to heal an injury.