Ancient Bronze Hand Found in Switzerland Mystifies Archeologists

Gizmodo ^ | George Dvorsky

[BenLurkin]

The bronze hand and its thin gold cuff, along with a bronze dagger and a human rib bone, were discovered by the metal detectorists near Lake Biel in the Bernese Jura, about 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Bern, Switzerland, according to a Canton de Bern press release. The items were handed over to specialists at the Ancient History and Roman Archeology Department in the Bern Archaeological Service one day after the discovery.

The hand of Prêles, as it’s now called, is slightly smaller than an adult hand and was cast from about a pound of bronze, according to National Geographic. Radiocarbon dating of the organic, vegetable-based glue used to adhere the gold band to the hand’s wrist places the artifact to between 1,400 and 1,500 BC, back during Europe’s Middle Bronze Age. The archaeologists studying the hand, a team led by Andrea Schae, say it’s doubtful the hand was worn; a socket inside the hand suggests it was mounted on a staff of some kind.

...researchers managed to uncover more items at the site, including the bones of a middle-aged male, a long bronze pin, a bronze spiral likely worn as a hair ornament, more bits of gold foil (likely from the hand), and one of the sculpture’s missing fingers. The archaeologists say the hand was likely buried with the man, of whom we know virtually nothing.

Beneath the grave, the researchers uncovered a stone-based structure. Apparently, “the man and the bronze hand were deliberately buried over this older construction,” write the researchers in the press release.

A formal research paper to describe the findings is forthcoming, but the researchers are still trying to figure out if the items were manufactured nearby or imported from afar. They’re also struggling to understand the purpose of the sculpted bronze hand.

[BenLurkin]

[BenLurkin]

pinGGG

[Red Badger]

The guy was named ‘Lefty’...................

[C19fan]

I am not saying.....

[Comment Not Approved]

Terminator hand?

[BenLurkin]

Gotta hand it to you......

[nesnah]

How do they know it’s an “antique”?

[BenLurkin]

[Red Badger]

Ancient Flying Fickle Finger of Fate?............

[rktman]

C3PO has been looking for that.

[Red Badger]

MINE!!!!!............

[BenLurkin]

Excellent

[MrEdd]

[Weaponier]

Merle Dixon might be looking for that.

[teeman8r]

THANOS!

[JesusIsLord]

Queue the big hair guy !!

[Panzerlied]

I KNEW I left that somewhere. I was SOOOO drunk at the time.

[jiggyboy]

dang it I had one all picked out to post myself

[Red Badger]

Mr. Ginsu!.......................

[Red Badger]