"18th-Century Man's 'Exceptional' Gold and Silver Prosthesis for Cleft Palate"
Archaeologists in Poland have discovered a 300-year-old medical prosthesis, made of wool and precious metals, that helped an 18th-century man with cleft palate live more comfortably. The "exceptional" device, known as a palatal obturator, was found in a crypt in Krakow and is the first of its kind in Europe. The prosthesis, weighing 0.2 ounce, comprised a woolen pad sewn to a metallic plate, with traces of gold, silver, and copper. This discovery sheds light on historical medical practices and how developmental defects were managed to improve individuals' quality of life.