As explained by Anna Spink from the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy. they. Ludwik Herzfeld of the Polish Academy of Sciences is a unique discovery not only within Poland, but essentially throughout Europe. This means that such a unique artifact has never been found before. But where does its enormous scientific value come from?
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First of all, we are talking about a prosthetic made of gold, silver and wool. It's about three hundred years old, and perhaps the most surprising thing about the whole thing is that it's a prosthetic meant for a man with a cleft palate. It appears to have enabled him to function on a daily basis, which has been a real salvation for people who previously suffered from this condition.
It is a developmental defect and can now be corrected surgically. Centuries ago, medicine would not have permitted this kind of work, but human ingenuity did its part. In the case of the man using this prosthesis, it is known that he was around 50 years old at the time of his death. Tests have not yet revealed the cause of death, but perhaps more expert opinions will clarify the situation a little.
A prosthetic limb was found in the crypt of St. Mary's Church. St. Francis of Assisi, located in Krakow, dates back to the 18th century
By combining wool, gold, and silver, he created a prosthetic limb that was placed in the nasal cavity. We can read about the details of the discovery in the post published here Journal of Archaeological Sciences: Reports. As it turns out, the prosthesis is 3.1 cm long and weighs 5.5 grams. It takes the form of a woolen pillow sewn onto a metal plate.
Members of the research team are not sure how effective this solution is, but it is known that people who currently use dentures feel more comfortable eating and speaking much easier. Since the owner of the 18th century prosthetic was buried with it, we can assume that it was an important component of his daily work.
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The item found in the Krakow crypt consists of two parts. The mineral plate that mimics the palate plays a major role. Such a prosthesis, attached to a woolen plate intended to be fixed in the mouth, would likely have played the intended role of our biological tastes. It prevents substances from entering the nose and makes swallowing, breathing and speaking easier. If it has already served its role – and we have no reason to believe otherwise – then the person who came up with this idea deserves a standing ovation.
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