The two ancient prosthetic big toes attached to the feet of two Egyptian mummies have been recognized as the oldest known prosthetic devices in the world. What makes them even more remarkable is that scientists have discovered the wearers actually used them for walking, rather than simply as ritual objects for the dead, as was common in ancient Egyptian customs.

Both prosthetic toes originated in Egypt, but today they are preserved in two different museums—one at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and the other at the British Museum in London.

In terms of materials, the two prosthetics are quite different. The toe at the Egyptian Museum is made of wood and leather, designed in three parts. Meanwhile, the Greville Chester toe at the British Museum was crafted from a mixture of linen, glue, and plaster, resulting in a strong and durable material—evidenced by its survival to the present day.

Both prosthetic toes date back to before 600 BCE, making them significantly older than the Roman Capua Leg, which was previously considered the earliest known prosthetic limb from the ancient Roman world.