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Modern prosthetics are incredibly advanced. Some cutting-edge technologies allow amputees to experience sensations through artificial fingers, and significant progress is also being made in the realm of mind-controlled prosthetics.
Yet, prosthetics aren't a modern innovation. Centuries ago, skilled artisans created remarkable replacements for those who lost body parts. From a fat-crafted eye to a pharaoh missing a toe, here are 10 remarkable prosthetics from history.
10. The Hand of Prêles
In 2017, treasure hunters in Switzerland were searching for lost treasures near Prêles village when they unearthed an ancient grave. Among their finds were a rib bone, a bronze dagger, and a striking metal hand. When they handed over the collection to the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern, the hand became the center of attention.
Slightly smaller than an actual hand, this artifact was crafted from bronze and tin, adorned with a gold cuff. It weighed nearly 18 ounces (17 grams) and featured a hollow socket at the base, suggesting a variety of potential functions for this intriguing hand.
While its true purpose cannot be confirmed, the hand might have been a prosthetic, a ceremonial object once attached to a scepter, or even a piece of a statue. Its burial with the man implies it may have been a prosthetic or perhaps a symbol of status. Regardless, at 3,500 years old, this artifact holds the distinction of being the oldest known metal sculpture of a human body part discovered in Europe.
9. A Noteworthy Foot
In 2013, archaeologists digging near a medieval church in southern Austria uncovered a grave. The remains of a man, aged 35 to 50, were found, buried sometime between AD 536 and 600. Artifacts discovered in the grave suggested he was a member of the Franks, a Germanic tribe.
However, it wasn't until 2016 that researchers revealed the most remarkable part of the discovery: the man had a prosthetic foot. At 1,500 years old, this left foot is one of the oldest prosthetic limbs ever found in Europe. Crafted from wood, with an iron ring included in the design, wear marks on the foot indicated that it was not just a funerary item but a functional aid used by the man for walking during his lifetime.
The lower part of the man's leg and foot were absent, but the healed bone structure revealed that he survived the amputation and lived for at least two additional years. This was remarkable, as during that era, most individuals would have succumbed to an infection soon after such a traumatic procedure.
8. A Hand with Four Fingers
In 2023, workers constructing a pipeline in Germany inadvertently disturbed an ancient burial site near Munich. When archaeologists arrived, they concluded that the individual buried there had passed away between the ages of 30 and 50, sometime between 1450 and 1620.
What made this discovery extraordinary was the condition of his hand. Although the bones of his thumb were intact, the other fingers were missing. In their place, he had a prosthetic made of iron, which featured four fingers.
The artificial fingers were hollow, rigid, and slightly curved to mimic the natural shape of a hand. Evidence of leather straps suggested that these were used to secure the prosthesis to his hand, while fabric resembling gauze was packed inside to protect his skin from friction with the metal.
The exact cause of how the man lost his hand remains a mystery. However, considering the era's frequent military conflicts, it is plausible that he suffered a severe injury to his hand during battle, which may have led to the amputation of his four fingers.
7. A Regal Toe
To the west of Luxor in Egypt lies an ancient chapel, where prominent individuals close to the royal family were buried. Among the tombs, archaeologists discovered the remains of a priest’s daughter, who was wearing a remarkable prosthetic—a highly realistic wooden big toe. Skillfully crafted by an artisan, the toe was secured to the mummy's foot with quality straps. Dating back approximately 3,000 years, this toe is often regarded as one of the world’s earliest prosthetic devices.
In 2017, the artifact underwent a series of advanced tests, including computer imaging, x-rays, and modern microscopy. These studies revealed that the carver was a highly skilled artisan with an in-depth understanding of human anatomy, demonstrating a genuine effort to create a toe that resembled a natural foot.
The prosthetic's technical sophistication was also evident in the comfort and mobility it provided. The tests showed that the toe had been refitted multiple times to ensure that the woman could walk as naturally and comfortably as possible.
6. The Forerunner of Modern Tooth Bridges
In 2016, archaeologists uncovered two tombs in Lucca, Italy, containing the fragmented remains of approximately 100 individuals, one of which included a set of false teeth. The chaotic nature of the graves prevented a precise identification of the owner or an accurate dating of the artifact, but experts believe the device to be about 400 years old.
This unusual dental prosthetic featured five real teeth, all sourced from different people. The creator of the device didn’t prioritize accuracy, as the arrangement of the three incisors and two canines was incorrect. However, the artisan displayed innovation by removing the tips from each tooth’s root, making a lengthwise cut across the roots, aligning the teeth, and connecting them with a golden band. Each tooth was further secured with two small golden pins.
Not only was this the earliest known physical evidence of devices intended to stabilize loose teeth, as described in 16th and 17th-century texts, but it also bore a striking resemblance to the Maryland bridge technique. This advanced method, which emerged in the 1970s, involves creating a bridge with small 'wings' on either side that are anchored to neighboring teeth for added stability.
5. A Lethal Prosthetic
The Middle Ages was a perilous era, and one man seemed perfectly suited for it, despite being an amputee. In 1985, archaeologists discovered his remains in Italy and observed that his arm had been severed at the mid-forearm.
The exact cause of the man's lost arm remains unknown. However, as his people, a Germanic group known as the Longobards, were known for their combative nature, it’s possible he lost his arm in battle or had it amputated due to a war-related injury.
Here’s where things take an unexpected turn. The man, who died between the ages of 40 and 50, had replaced his hand with an iron knife. While it may have given him a piratical appearance, researchers suggest that the knife wasn’t just for protection but also aided him in performing daily activities.
The makeshift hand was secured to his arm with straps, which he apparently tightened using his teeth during the process (the significant wear on the teeth of the right side of his mouth supports this hypothesis).
4. A Golden Mouth Plate
Today, children born with cleft palates can undergo surgery to correct the condition. However, 300 years ago, no such medical procedures existed. A person with this condition would likely face lifelong struggles with speech, swallowing, and breathing. Yet, one man in 18th-century Poland had better fortune—someone crafted him a prosthetic plate to help him live a more normal life.
While ancient solutions for cleft palates are not unheard of, experts had never encountered anything quite like this artifact. The remarkable prosthetic was made from a combination of copper, gold, and silver, with wool and felt-like materials used to make the plate more comfortable and ensure a better fit.
The man’s remains and his prosthetic were discovered in 2024, and a thorough examination revealed that he was born without a hard palate. This serious defect was alleviated by the expertly crafted plate, which allowed him to live more comfortably with his condition until his death at around age 50.
3. A Non-Amputee with a Prosthetic Leg
When we think of an artificial leg, we often picture someone who has lost a limb. However, in the case of a man who lived 2,200 years ago near Turpan, China, the situation was different—he still had both legs.
In 2016, an ancient tomb revealed the remains of a man with a deformed leg. His knee and leg bones were fused in such a way that his left leg could not be straightened, remaining fixed at an 80-degree angle. To aid his mobility, a prosthetic leg was positioned beneath the knee and secured to the thigh with straps. Uniquely, the bottom of the wooden leg featured a real horse hoof, serving as a foot.
The cause of the man’s knee fusion at such an unusual angle is unclear. One possible explanation for the bone fusion is inflammation, and evidence suggested that the man had suffered from tuberculosis in the past. This infection could have caused enough inflammation to stimulate abnormal bone growth, which eventually led to the fusion of his knee.
2. The Oldest Prosthetic Eye in the World
In 2006, Iranian archaeologists made a remarkable discovery near the city of Zabol. While excavating the Burnt City, an ancient human settlement dating back thousands of years, they unearthed the 5,000-year-old skeleton of a woman.
Standing about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, she was an unusually large woman for her time. However, what was even more fascinating was one of her eyes. The left eye socket contained an artificial eye crafted from animal fat and natural tar. The artisan meticulously replicated the eye's realistic appearance, even recreating tiny blood vessels using delicate golden wires. The prosthetic was also wrapped in gold and engraved with a circular design to represent the iris.
The prosthetic eye—believed to be the world’s oldest—was not simply a cosmetic addition after her death. The young woman wore it during her lifetime, which lasted between 25 to 30 years. Evidence supporting this includes two holes on either side of the eye, likely used to secure it in place during wear, as well as the presence of eyelid tissue on the surface of the prosthetic.
1. A Postmortem Prosthesis
Ancient Egypt is famous for many accomplishments, from the pyramids and hieroglyphics to its art and iconic gods. However, when it came to ruling Egypt, civility often gave way to murder plots. One such assassination took place in 1155 BC. According to papyrus records, Queen Tiye orchestrated the plot to remove Pharaoh Ramesses III from the throne and install her son as the ruler.
When the mummified remains of Ramesses III were examined in 2012, researchers concluded that he was indeed murdered by multiple assailants. One attacker approached him from behind, using a blade to sever his trachea and esophagus, while another struck him from the front with an axe or sword. This second attacker also hacked off Ramesses's big toe.
To replace the missing toe, the embalmers created a prosthetic ‘toe’ from linen and attached it to his foot. This serves as a reminder that not all ancient prosthetics were for the living, nor were they always grand, even for a king.
