ArchaeoBlog

Yes, you read that right: Archaeologists uncover the world’s oldest prosthetic device

Egyptologist have confirmed that an artificial toe found on the remains of a mummy was not for cosmetic purposes, but instead an actual prosthetic device that helped the ancient Egyptian to walk. Consequently, it is considered the oldest assistive device ever discovered by archaeologists.

To prove the functionality of the device, researcher Jacky Finch hired two volunteers (both missing their right toe) to test the effectiveness of the artificial toe while wearing replica leather ancient Egyptian style sandals, and while in bare feet.

Once the tests were run and the video analyzed by gait experts, the volunteers’ performance showed that the toe wasn’t just for show. And in fact, the device gave them a definite advantage over not having it. The volunteers achieved 87% of the flexion achieved by their normal left toe, while the three part wood and leather design produced nearly 78%.

I’m still kind of wondering how it attached to a non-toe area, but from the photograph it appears to have had a strap going around, and even a semi-hinged area on the outside and top. I wonder if they used a replica of the prosthetic itself (one would assume they did) in addition to the replica sandals.

And not related except by dint of being on the same page: Not so fast — what’s so “premature” about premature ejaculation?

Key to Hong’s analysis therefore is the idea that intravaginal ejaculation latencies in males is heritable—there was initially greater within-population level variation in the male ancestral population, he surmises, but over time, “the ancestry of Homo sapiens became overpopulated with rapid ejaculators.” This is because, according to Hong, young reproductive-aged males who ejaculated faster (i.e., had more sensitive penises) avoided injury, lived longer and therefore had a greater chance of attaining high status and acquiring the most desirable females.

Which is actually quite a good little article.