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Ancient Artificial Eye Unearthed in Iran
Around the time that the great pyramids were built in Egypt and Stonehenge was erected in England, a young woman living in what is now Iran lost an eye and was fitted with a prosthetic device.
The 4,800-year-old artificial eye was recently found by archaeologists working at the Burnt City historical site in southeastern Iran, according to a report published by the Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies, a London-based research and educational program.
The find supports speculation that such prosthetics were available to a fortunate few in the ancient world. An early Hebrew text, for example, references a woman who wore an artificial eye made of gold.
The newly found eye isn't gold, but it probably looked more like the real thing.
"At first glance, it seems natural tar mixed with animal fat has been used in making [the eye]," said archaeologist Mansur Sayyed-Sajadi, who is directing the excavation. Further testing will be needed to determine its exact composition.
Sayyed-Sajadi added that whoever made the eye likely used a fine golden wire, thinner than half a millimeter, to draw "even the most delicate eye capillaries."
Parallel lines were also drawn around the pupil to form a diamond shape.
Two holes at the sides helped hold it in place in the woman's eye socket. Sayyed-Sajadi said remaining eyelid tissues are still evident on the eyeball, as are markings that suggest the woman developed an abscess in her eyelid due to frequent contact with the object.
The eyeball was found with the skeletal remains of its wearer in an early cemetery. The researchers believe the woman was between 25 and 30 years old when she died.
Clay vessels, ornamental beads, a leather sack and a bronze mirror were also found in her grave.
Michael Harris, a senior lecturer in optometry at the University of California at Berkeley, said the objects, as well as the effort it must have taken to prepare and fit the woman for the artificial eye, suggest she was a member of the elite.
"It's unlikely such attention and effort would have been paid to a commoner," Harris said. "She may have been a member of a royal family or an otherwise wealthy individual."
Harris said the primary reason for the artificial eyeball would not have been medical.
"She could have worn a patch, but perhaps her family wanted her to look her best for public appearances," he explained.
He added that "it's amazing how advanced some scientists were in the past at coming up with creative, innovative solutions to problems."
Archaeologists continue to work at the Burnt City site, which has also offered up the world's oldest dice and backgammon game, the earliest known caraway seed and the world's oldest "animated picture," which was drawn around an earthenware bowl.
The 4,800-year-old artificial eye was recently found by archaeologists working at the Burnt City historical site in southeastern Iran, according to a report published by the Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies, a London-based research and educational program.
The find supports speculation that such prosthetics were available to a fortunate few in the ancient world. An early Hebrew text, for example, references a woman who wore an artificial eye made of gold.
The newly found eye isn't gold, but it probably looked more like the real thing.
"At first glance, it seems natural tar mixed with animal fat has been used in making [the eye]," said archaeologist Mansur Sayyed-Sajadi, who is directing the excavation. Further testing will be needed to determine its exact composition.
Sayyed-Sajadi added that whoever made the eye likely used a fine golden wire, thinner than half a millimeter, to draw "even the most delicate eye capillaries."
Parallel lines were also drawn around the pupil to form a diamond shape.
Two holes at the sides helped hold it in place in the woman's eye socket. Sayyed-Sajadi said remaining eyelid tissues are still evident on the eyeball, as are markings that suggest the woman developed an abscess in her eyelid due to frequent contact with the object.
The eyeball was found with the skeletal remains of its wearer in an early cemetery. The researchers believe the woman was between 25 and 30 years old when she died.
Clay vessels, ornamental beads, a leather sack and a bronze mirror were also found in her grave.
Michael Harris, a senior lecturer in optometry at the University of California at Berkeley, said the objects, as well as the effort it must have taken to prepare and fit the woman for the artificial eye, suggest she was a member of the elite.
"It's unlikely such attention and effort would have been paid to a commoner," Harris said. "She may have been a member of a royal family or an otherwise wealthy individual."
Harris said the primary reason for the artificial eyeball would not have been medical.
"She could have worn a patch, but perhaps her family wanted her to look her best for public appearances," he explained.
He added that "it's amazing how advanced some scientists were in the past at coming up with creative, innovative solutions to problems."
Archaeologists continue to work at the Burnt City site, which has also offered up the world's oldest dice and backgammon game, the earliest known caraway seed and the world's oldest "animated picture," which was drawn around an earthenware bowl.
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