Bone find shows early amputations

"Bones found at a former hospital in Worcestershire show evidence of early amputations and other medical research, say archaeologists.

County council archaeologists were called in after workers building the new city university campus found about 200 bone pieces in a pit at the former Worcester Royal Infirmary site.

Former hospital ward at the old Worcester Royal Infirmary
The old hospital is being demolished to make way for a new campus

Simon Sworn, archaeologist and project officer, said many of the 19th Century bones had been deliberately cut and were 'evidence of amputations in their infancy'.

'Saw marks'

"There's evidence of research into varying diseases, such as syphilis, which was widespread at the time. There are bones that have been cut into where the disease had taken hold."

He said the bones could be linked to the work of Sir Charles Hastings, a medical surgeon and founder of the BMA.