The oldest known prosthetic, a 3,000-year-old wooden toe, was discovered attached to a female mummy in an ancient Egyptian grave site.
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| Image: Matjaž Kačičnik/University of Basel, LHTT) |
Now, modern technologies like microscopy, X-rays, and computer imaging have allowed researchers to uncover new information about its construction and the time period it came from.
The research revealed that the wooden toe had been refitted multiple times. This meticulous craftsmanship suggests that the wearer, believed to be a priest’s daughter, prioritized both comfort and a natural appearance.
"The artificial toe from the early first millennium B.C. testifies to the skills of an artisan who was very familiar with the human physiognomy," the researchers stated. They noted that the prosthetic’s mobility and the sturdy belt strap used to attach it demonstrate advanced technical know-how for the time.
The prosthesis was found in a burial chapel within the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna cemetery, west of Luxor. This area housed rock-cut tombs for upper-class individuals connected to the royal family. While the tomb had been looted, researchers are uncovering a wealth of archaeological artifacts and reconstructing the life stories of the people buried there.
This ancient prosthetic toe highlights the craftsmanship and medical understanding of the Early Iron Age and reflects the wearer’s desire for both functionality and aesthetics an ambition that mirrors modern approaches to prosthetics today.