Medical Design and Outsourcing

  • Home
  • Medical Device Business
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Financial
    • Regulatory
  • Applications
    • Cardiovascular
    • Devices
    • Imaging
    • Implantables
    • Medical Equipment
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgical
  • Technologies
    • Supplies and Components Index
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Components
    • Electronics
    • Extrusions
    • Materials
    • Motion Control
    • Prototyping
    • Pumps
    • Tubing
  • MedTech Resources
    • Medtech Events in 2025
    • The 2024 Medtech Big 100
    • Medical Device Handbook
    • MedTech 100 Index
    • Subscribe to Print Magazine
    • DeviceTalks
    • Digital Editions
    • eBooks
    • Educational Assets
    • Manufacturer Search
    • Podcasts
    • Print Subscription
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
    • Video
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Women in Medtech
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

This wooden toe could be one of the oldest prosthetics in the world

July 3, 2017 By Danielle Kirsh

wooden prosthetic toe

[Image from University of Basel]

University of Basel Egyptologists have reexamined what they claim is one of the oldest prosthetic devices in human history to determine its origin.

A wooden big toe, thought to be almost 3,000 years old, was discovered in a female burial in the necropolis of Sheikh ´Abd el-Qurna near Luxor.

Using microscopy, X-ray technology and computer tomography, the team investigated the wooden toe and was able to figure out that the toe was refitted several times to be able to fit the foot of the owner, who happened to be a priest’s daughter. The researchers also categorized the materials used to make it and what methods were used.

They also determined that the artificial toe was from the early first millennium BC. The artisanship of the prosthetic appeared to show that the person who made it was very familiar with human physiognomy. The prosthetic extension and structure of the belt strap exhibited the craftsmanship of the artisan and showed that aesthetics was a huge factor to how the prosthetic was formed, according to a press release.

The discovery of the wooden toe was part of a larger project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation that was looking into the archaeological remains of the area, including building structures and different objects.

[Want to stay more on top of MDO content? Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.]

You may also like:


  • Why prosthetics need tactile feedback
  • Newcastle University bionic hand sees automatic
    This new bionic hand reacts automatically: Here’s how
  • visual impairment breakthroughs
    6 visual impairment breakthroughs you need to know

About The Author

Danielle Kirsh

Danielle Kirsh is an award-winning journalist and senior editor for Medical Design & Outsourcing, MassDevice, and Medical Tubing + Extrusion, and the founder of Women in Medtech and lead editor for Big 100. She received her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism and mass communication from Norfolk State University and is pursuing her master's in global strategic communications at the University of Florida. You can connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn, or email her at dkirsh@wtwhmedia.com.

Related Articles Read More >

Four individuals stand smiling in front of the entrance to the Children's Tower at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The person second from the left holds a small black device labeled BLIPI, designed for rapid point-of-care diagnostics. Two of the individuals wear blue medical scrubs, indicating their clinical roles.
New device uses single drop of blood to assess newborn immune health
A photo of the probiotic-powered dissolvable batteries.
Probiotics-powered bioresorbable battery can run more than 100 minutes, researchers say
A photo of Capstan Medical's mitral valve implant, which uses nitinol.
Capstan Medical’s R&D head discusses the heart valve and robotics startup’s tech, engineering challenges and solutions, advice for others in medtech and how to join his team
Close-up view of a transparent vascular model held by fingers, showcasing the milli-spinner device — a tiny, hollow rotating tube with fins and slits designed to generate localized suction for shrinking blood clots without rupturing them.
This device could double stroke clot removal success
“mdo
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest medical device business news, application and technology trends.

DeviceTalks Weekly

See More >

MDO Digital Edition

Digital Edition

Subscribe to Medical Design & Outsourcing. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading medical design engineering magazine today.

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.
DeviceTalks

DeviceTalks is a conversation among medical technology leaders. It's events, podcasts, webinars and one-on-one exchanges of ideas & insights.

DeviceTalks

New MedTech Resource

Medical Tubing

MassDevice

Mass Device

The Medical Device Business Journal. MassDevice is the leading medical device news business journal telling the stories of the devices that save lives.

Visit Website
MDO ad
Medical Design and Outsourcing
  • MassDevice
  • DeviceTalks
  • MedTech100 Index
  • Medical Tubing + Extrusion
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World
  • R&D World
  • About Us/Contact
  • Advertise With Us
  • Subscribe to Print Magazine
  • Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
  • Listen to our Weekly Podcasts
  • Join our DeviceTalks Tuesdays Discussion

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media LLC. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Medical Design & Outsourcing

  • Home
  • Medical Device Business
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Financial
    • Regulatory
  • Applications
    • Cardiovascular
    • Devices
    • Imaging
    • Implantables
    • Medical Equipment
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgical
  • Technologies
    • Supplies and Components Index
    • Contract Manufacturing
    • Components
    • Electronics
    • Extrusions
    • Materials
    • Motion Control
    • Prototyping
    • Pumps
    • Tubing
  • MedTech Resources
    • Medtech Events in 2025
    • The 2024 Medtech Big 100
    • Medical Device Handbook
    • MedTech 100 Index
    • Subscribe to Print Magazine
    • DeviceTalks
    • Digital Editions
    • eBooks
    • Educational Assets
    • Manufacturer Search
    • Podcasts
    • Print Subscription
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
    • Video
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Women in Medtech
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe