Medical Prosthetic Implant Found Lodged in 18th-Century Skull; Artificial Body Part Was Designed For a Man With Cleft Palate

Archaeologists were able to find a distinct medical prosthetic implant that was lodged into an 18th-century skull.

Buried Man With Medical Prosthetic Implant

The implant was described in the "A palatal prosthesis from archaeological research in the St Francis of Assisi church in Cracow (Poland)" study. It was apparently specifically designed for a man who had a cleft palate, which is a congenital defect that is marked by a split at the mouth's roof.

The skeleton in question was that of a person who died at the age of at least 50 over 200 years ago. The man was also buried in St. Francis of Assisi Church's crypts in Krakow, Poland.

The man's burial came to light in the course of a research project that was led by Anna Drążkowska from Nicolaus Copernicus University. The team of Drążkowska discovered the burial as they were exploring a crypt.

Researchers subsequently noticed that the skull of the man had an object that looked like a seal. However, after cleaning efforts and conservation work was done, it appeared that the item was a prosthesis for the palate. Now, for the first time, it has been described in scientific study.

Prosthetic Implant For Cleft Palate

Anna Spinek, the latest study's lead author with the Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, explains that the discovery of such a distinct object came as a surprise for the team. This is especially due to how it was not discovered randomly but, rather, in relation to the person that it was specifically designed for. Spinek explains that they observed the prosthesis' uniqueness and wanted a wider audience to know more about it.

The prosthesis' purpose was to separate the oral cavity of the man from his nasal cavity. This, in turn, may have likely positively impacted the man's life.

The artificial body part appears to have two different parts, namely, a wool pad and a metal plate consisting of silver, gold, and copper.

Marta Kurek, another study author from the University of Lodz's Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, says that the procedure would have made the person's everyday life easier and of better quality. Kurek adds that it prevented food from passing from the oral cavity all the way to the nasal cavity, decreased infection risk in the nasopharynx, helped with breathing, and enhanced his speech. The cleft palate's size and the prosthesis' dimensions show that the object had a good fit. With this, the researchers could assume that the object was able to do well in fulfilling its purpose.

Kurek notes that the discovery of the prosthesis does not just hold biological importance but cultural significance as well. The prosthesis' precision shows great craftsmanship. It is important to remember that such objects consist of metals that are quite difficult to work with as modern materials. Nevertheless, it was adapted perfectly for the congenital defect. With this, it clearly demonstrates human anatomy knowledge and precision.

It is rare for these types of objects to be found in archaeological settings. In fact, according to the researchers, this is the first discovery of its kind made in Europe.

Spinek notes that based on written sources, irrespective of era, such devices were quite unique and rarely used, though they were designed for wide usage. She adds that back then, the items were not mass-produced, as dentists needed to individually craft them on their own. Moreover, given the materials used for the objects, only some representatives of the rich could have been able to afford the object.

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