Replica of an Anglo-Saxon bandage, England

Made:
500-1000 CE in England

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.

Details

Category:
Surgery
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A635013
Materials:
resin, copper, plant material, bone and complete
Measurements:
overall: .18 kg
smaller bandage: 30 mm x 85 mm x 52 mm, .018 kg
larger bandage: 30 mm x 80 mm x 57 mm, .02 kg
bone: 30 mm x 303 mm x 67 mm, .142 kg
type:
human remains, bone and replica bandage
credit:
Wellcome Trust