Archaeologists in Poland have discovered the remains of a 300-year-old man who was given a prosthetic to help overcome a cleft palate.
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Archaeologists have discovered the first medical prosthesis of its kind in Poland: a nearly 300-year-old device that has helped a man with a cleft palate live more comfortably.
Today, people born with a cleft palate can undergo surgery to treat the condition, which occurs when the roof of the mouth (called the hard palate) fails to close completely during pregnancy. Research has shown that the hard palate prevents oral contents from entering the nasal cavity, making it easier to swallow, breathe, and speak. Unable to undergo modern surgery, an 18th-century man who died at age 50 found another way to treat the condition: a prosthesis made of wool and precious metals that fit into his nasal cavity.
“This is probably the first discovery of its kind in Poland and possibly in Europe,” lead study author Anna Spiniec, an anthropologist at the Hirschfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy in Poland, told Live Science in an email. “There are no similar installations in institutions or private collections (Polish or foreign).”
The “unique” prosthesis, called a palatal obturator, is 1.2 inches (3.1 cm) long and weighs about 0.2 ounces (5.5 grams), according to a study published in the April issue of the Journal of Archaeology: Reports. It consists of a wool pad sewn onto a metal plate.
Researchers discovered the prosthesis in the crypt of the Church of St. Francis in Krakow during archaeological excavations in 2017–2018. According to medical examinations and computed tomography (CT) scans of the remains of a man with a cleft palate, the prosthesis was located between his jaws. When archaeologists removed the prosthesis, they noticed yellow (possibly gold) and green (possibly copper) stains on the fibrous padding, which they later confirmed were wool accidentally removed during the conservation process. The wool padding was likely coated with a thin layer of copper and then a layer of gold to stop secretions that could penetrate the fabric and prevent infection.
“Today, it is difficult to assess the tightness of the seal or the tightness of the obturators,” the study authors write. “However, modern patients with similar health problems report improved speech (it becomes clearer) and greater comfort during eating after using the prosthesis.”
To determine the composition of the prosthesis, the researchers analyzed it using scanning electron microscopy, which greatly magnifies the surface of an object, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, which analyzes the chemical composition of a sample. They found that the metal sheets were made primarily of copper, with significant amounts of gold and silver added. The wool contains trace amounts of silver iodide, which may have been added for its antibacterial properties.
Clefts of the maxillofacial region, including cleft palate and cleft lip, currently occur worldwide at a rate of 1 in 1,000 to 1,500 births and have been known since ancient times. The authors of the study write that the Greek orator Demosthenes (384-322 BC) had a cleft palate, which he allegedly filled with pebbles. Several 16th-century works suggested using a combination of cotton, wax, gold, silver, wool, and sponges to restore maxillofacial clefts. These rare devices are unique and custom-made by dentists. According to Spainz, because they were made of precious metals, only people from the wealthiest social classes could afford these devices.
“This study contributes to a better understanding of the evolution of human medical practices in the past, particularly how developmental disabilities were treated to improve quality of life,” James Watson, a professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, told Live Science in an email. He is not aware of any other premodern burials with similar prosthetics.
“The precision of the prosthesis demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship,” study co-author Marta Kurek, an anthropologist at the University of Lodz in Poland, told Live Science in an email. She emphasized that the prosthesis is made of extremely thin metal, which is fragile and not as easy to machine as modern materials, but it fits perfectly into the defect.
Soumya Sagar has a medical degree and completed a neurosurgical fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. His work has appeared in New Scientist, Science, Discover, and Mental Floss. He is an avid science writer and a lover of knowledge, especially trivia. He enjoys writing about medicine, animals, archaeology, climate change, and history. Animals hold a special place in his heart. He also enjoys learning new things, visiting historical sites, reading Victorian literature, and watching noir films.
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