Scientists have revisited one of the oldest prosthetic body parts in human history – a 3,000-year-old wooden toe.
A new study of the toe – using techniques such as microscopy and X-ray imaging – has revealed it was re-sized several times to fit the foot of its owner, a priest’s daughter.
Research on the toe also suggests that the priest must have been wealthy, due to the quality of its construction.
Archaeologists have revisited one of the oldest prosthetic body parts in human history, to shed new light on a 3,000 year old wooden toe (pictured), first uncovered 17 years ago on a woman buried in the necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna in Egypt
Experts used high powered microscopes to take a closer look at the external surface of the toe.
X-ray technology and computer tomography (CT) scans were also used to peer inside.
While X-ray images provide a 2D image, CT scans capture X-ray images from a variety of angles.
This information is processed by a computer to create digital slices through an object which can build up a 3D image, revealing even more detail.
The Basel team is also looking at the natural and artificial structures of the excavation area and its surroundings.
The specialists are currently developing geometrically precise digital elevation, landscape, and architecture models for this area.
These will then be combined to an archaeological and geological 3D map that will illustrate the terrain as well as subterranean structures
The intricately crafted big toe, which includes a carved-out toenail, was discovered 17 years ago on a woman buried in the necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna in Egypt.
Previous analysis of the mummy found that a wooden toe was used by the women after her own was amputated.
Experts used microscopy, X-ray technology, and computer tomography to reveal previously hidden details about the artefact, which dates to before 600 BC, and the location where it was found.
While X-ray images provide a 2D image, CT scans capture X-ray images from a variety of angles.
This information is processed by a computer to create digital slices through an object which can build up a 3D image, revealing even more detail.
Project coordinator Dr Andrea Loprieno-Gnirs, part of a team of Egyptologists from the University of Basel, said: ‘It shows how important the completeness of the human body was.
‘It also displays how precisely past people tried to compensate for physical disability and that they had very sophisticated prosthetic technology at hand.’
Dr Loprieno-Gniers said the ‘delicately polished’ toe was still attached to the incomplete mummy when it was uncovered at the burial ground.
She added: ‘It’s really a very impressive work this in terms of the techniques used.
‘It shows that the family of the person that had lost her limb had access to this level of craftsmanship.’
Experts from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, where the toe was taken for analysis, and the Institute of Evolutionary Medicine at the University of Zurich were also involved in the study.
Writing in the study, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the authors said: ‘The technical know-how can be seen particularly well in the mobility of the prosthetic extension and the robust structure of the belt strap.
The oldest known tombs from Sheikh Abd el-Qurna date back to the early second millennium BC. Pictured – A view of the excavation area in the cemetery of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna
The early Iron Age find was uncovered in a plundered shaft tomb in 2000 near the ancient city of Thebes. Pictured – A door lintel with remains of Coptic ornamental paintings within the tomb
The chapel belongs to a group of monumental rock-cut tombs from the late 15th century BC, which were built for a small upper class that was close to the royal family. Pictured – The interior of the burial chapel
‘The fact that the prosthesis was made in such a laborious and meticulous manner indicates that the owner valued a natural look, aesthetics and wearing comfort and that she was able to count on highly qualified specialists to provide this.’
The early Iron Age find was uncovered in a plundered shaft tomb in 2000 near the ancient city of Thebes.
The tomb was cut into the bedrock of an older, long time idle burial chapel at the graveyard hill of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, to the west of Luxor.
The chapel belongs to a group of monumental rock-cut tombs from the late 15th century BC, which were built for a small upper class that was close to the royal family.
The University of Basel has been studying this ancient Egyptian elite cemetery, its long history of usage, and surroundings since late 2015.
The University of Basel has been studying this ancient Egyptian elite cemetery since late 2015. Pictured – Digital elevation model of the south western part of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna’s cemetery. Marked in colour are the elevations of the excavation site
Experts used microscopy, X-ray technology, and computer tomography to reveal previously hidden details about the artefact, which dates to before 600 BC, and the location where it was found (pictured)
The tomb was cut into the bedrock of an older, long time idle burial chapel at the graveyard hill of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, to the west of Luxor (pictured)
The oldest known tombs from Sheikh Abd el-Qurna date back to the early second millennium BC.
Together with the experts for geodesy and geology from the ETH Zurich, the Basel team of archaeologists is scientifically assessing the natural and artificial structures of the excavation area and its surroundings.
The specialists are currently developing geometric precise digital elevation, landscape, and architecture models for this area.
These will then be combined to an archaeological and geological 3D map that will illustrate the morphology of the terrain as well as the subterranean structures.
WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE TOE
The intricately crafted big toe, which includes a carved-out toenail, was discovered 17 years ago on a woman buried in the necropolis of Sheikh Abd el-Qurna in Egypt.
Since then, scientists have tried to find out more about its construction and purpose.
At first, the false toe was regarded as a simple ornament, added after death as part of burial rites.
At first, the false toe (pictured) was regarded as a simple ornament, added after death as part of burial rites
But British experts who studied it in 2007 concluded that it is the world’s first working artificial body part.
The Roman Capula Leg was previously believed to be the oldest prosthetic ever found, but the Sheikh Abd el-Qurna find pre-dates this by several hundred years.
In a separate study, two volunteers were asked to wear the toe with replica Egyptian sandals and the results were published in a study in the medical journal The Lancet.
It was compared to another Egyptian toe, The Greville Chester toe, made from cartonnage, a sort of papier maché constructed using linen, glue and plaster.
It was compared to another Egyptian toe, The Greville Chester toe (pictured), made from cartonnage, a sort of papier maché constructed using linen, glue and plaster
While neither design was expected to perform exactly like a real big toe, one of the volunteers was able to walk extremely well using both, according to the research.
The Sheikh Abd el-Qurna toe has certain features, such as a simple hinge, a chamfered front edge and a flattened underside, which both volunteers said they found particularly comfortable.