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Prosthetics are not a recent development. For thousands of years, healers and artisans have created substitutes for body parts lost to injury, amputation, or illness.
Few ancient prosthetics survive today, as materials like wood and organic matter deteriorate rapidly. Those that remain showcase sophisticated craftsmanship, often resembling advanced cybernetics rather than simple peg legs. Some ancient prosthetic devices are steeped in mystery, with their existence known only through tales and legends.
10. Cairo Toe
The “Cairo toe,” dating back to 950–710 BC, holds the title of the world’s oldest prosthetic. Found on a female mummy near Luxor, this artificial big toe offers a glimpse into ancient medical ingenuity.
Crafted from leather, shaped and dyed wood, and thread, the Cairo toe was more than just a burial accessory. Tests on volunteers missing toes demonstrated its practicality, as it improved comfort and ease of walking in traditional Egyptian sandals, thanks to its ergonomic design.
Other prosthetic toes have been unearthed in Egyptian tombs, including one from 600 BC made of cartonnage, a paper-mache-like material. While this version lacked flexibility and comfort, it served as an effective cosmetic solution for missing toes.
9. Golden Eye
In 1998, researchers discovered the world’s oldest artificial eye, dating back 5,000 years, at the Shahr-i-Sokhta necropolis in the Sistan desert near the Iran-Afghan border.
The eye, a lightweight half-sphere measuring just over 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in diameter, was crafted from bitumen paste. Its intricate engravings feature a central iris radiating golden light, with traces of gold indicating it was once covered in the precious metal.
The woman who wore the eye was between 25 and 30 years old and stood nearly 183 centimeters (6 feet) tall, making her exceptionally tall for 2900 BC. She was buried alongside a finely decorated bronze hand mirror.
Initially, researchers believed the artificial eye was placed in the grave posthumously. However, microscopic analysis uncovered an imprint on her left eye socket, indicating prolonged use of the prosthesis during her lifetime.
8. Gotz of the Iron Hand
Gottfried “Gotz” von Berlichingen, a notorious German mercenary, was known for his fearsome reputation and his prosthetic iron arm. During the 1504 siege of Landshut, Gotz lost his right arm to a cannon explosion. He survived and had an armored iron limb crafted to replace it.
The iron prosthetic featured internal gears that allowed its articulated fingers to move. This advanced limb was robust enough to wield a sword yet precise enough to hold a quill. For four decades, “Gotz of the Iron Hand” continued to instill fear across the German countryside.
Born in Wurttemberg nearly 500 years ago, Gotz served as a knight of the Holy Roman Emperor but gained notoriety for robbing merchants and nobles. Today, he is celebrated as a Robin Hood–like figure, and his innovative prosthetic is hailed as a testament to German ingenuity.
7. Hoofed Prosthetic Leg
In 2007, archaeologists discovered a 2,200-year-old prosthetic leg with a hoof in Turpan, China. The artificial limb belonged to a man aged between 50 and 65.
His patella, femur, and tibia were fused at an 80-degree angle, preventing normal walking. The prosthetic leg featured a horse hoof at its base, and signs of wear at the top indicated it had been used for many years.
Some researchers believe his knee condition resulted from inflammation. The man had previously suffered from tuberculosis, which could have caused bony growths that fused his knee.
The smooth surface of the bone suggests the inflammation ceased years before his death. The simple grave goods imply he was not wealthy. Radiocarbon dating indicates he was part of the ancient Gushi people, who were conquered by the Han dynasty in the first century BC.
6. Tycho Brahe’s ‘Silver’ Nose
Tycho Brahe, a Danish astronomer born in 1546, achieved unparalleled precision in measuring planetary bodies without telescopes and proved comets existed beyond Earth's atmosphere. In 1566, Brahe lost his nose in a duel with Manderup Parsberg over a mathematical dispute. He wore a prosthetic nose for the rest of his life, long believed to be made of silver.
During Brahe’s exhumation in 2010, researchers found that his iconic “silver” nose was not silver at all. While the actual prosthesis was missing, traces of zinc and copper in greenish hues around his nasal cavity suggested its composition.
Experts concluded that his prosthetic nose was likely made of bronze. Brahe, who inherited a fortune from his foster father Jorgen, possessed one percent of Denmark’s wealth. This led to speculation that he may have owned a gold nose for special events.
5. Anglesey Leg
Sir Henry Paget, Lord of Uxbridge, lost his leg to a cannonball while leading the British cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo. He was carried off the battlefield and endured an above-knee amputation.
The surgery, conducted without antiseptics or anesthesia, prompted Uxbridge to remark calmly that “the knives seem rather dull.” His amputated leg, preserved at Waterloo, became a notable tourist attraction for many years.
James Potts created the patented “Anglesey Leg” to replace Lord Uxbridge’s lost limb. Unlike the peg legs common at the time, the Anglesey Leg was a masterpiece of engineering.
Made from carved fruitwood, the leg featured a sophisticated system of kangaroo tendon strips that enabled movement in the knee, ankle, and toes. This design prevented the frequent stumbling caused by less flexible prosthetics on uneven surfaces.
4. Recycled Teeth
During an excavation at Tuscany’s San Francesco monastery, archaeologists uncovered the world’s oldest known dental prosthesis. These 400-year-old dentures were crafted from real human teeth—three central incisors and two lateral canines—held together by a gold band.
The tooth roots were partially removed, and incisions were made at their bases. They were then arranged and fastened with a gold lamina. A CT scan showed tiny gold pins anchoring the teeth to the internal gold band.
While ancient texts have mentioned dentures, this is the first physical evidence ever found. The teeth were discovered in a noble family’s tomb housing 100 bodies.
Researchers have yet to match the dentures to any of the jawbones in the tomb. The owner’s identity remains unknown. Plaque and calcium buildup on the dentures indicate they were worn for a long time, possibly years.
3. Capua Leg
In 1910, archaeologists discovered a prosthetic leg in an ancient Roman tomb in Capua, Italy. At the time, the Capua leg was recognized as the oldest known artificial limb in existence.
Dating back to 300 BC, the Roman prosthetic was made of bronze and designed to replace the lower leg below the knee. Experts suggest it was held in place by a metal waistband.
The Capua leg was displayed at the Royal College of Surgeons in London until it was destroyed in a World War II air raid. A replica is now housed at the Science Museum in London.
Artificial limbs were rare in ancient Rome, but notable examples exist. General Marcus Sergius, who lost his arm in the Second Punic War, had an iron replacement made. This prosthetic enabled him to wield a shield and continue fighting.
2. Barbarossa’s Silver Arm
In the 16th century, the notorious Barbary Coast pirate Aruj Barbarossa earned the nickname “Silver Arm” due to his shiny prosthetic limb. During a 1512 battle with the Spanish in Algeria, a cannonball struck him, severing his left arm above the elbow.
After being struck unconscious, Barbarossa’s crew transported him to Tunis, where skilled Arab surgeons removed the damaged arm. He was then fitted with a unique prosthetic crafted from gleaming metal.
Barbarossa later rose to become the sultan of Algiers. To secure his territory, he formed an alliance with the Ottomans and was appointed governor of their newly established province.
1. Ancient Austrian Peg Leg
Archaeologists discovered the skeleton of a sixth-century warrior with a prosthetic leg in an ancient Austrian burial site. The warrior likely lost his limb during combat, as indicated by an iron ring found where the foot would have been attached.
Experts suggest the warrior suffered from osteoarthritis and may have relied on a crutch. The prosthetic limb, possibly a wooden peg leg strengthened with an iron band at its base, was fastened using leather straps, as evidenced by stains on the leg bones.
The knight, estimated to be between 35 and 50 years old, was laid to rest with a decorative brooch and a short sword. A CT scan showed he had a healed broken nose, numerous cavities, and arthritis in his hip, shoulder, spine, and left knee. Cavities in two lower leg bones hinted at a possible infection.
While amputations were performed before the sixth century, the knight's mid-bone amputation stands out as a rare and unique case.
