We’ve seen some pretty incredible feats of design and engineering over the years, but nothing like this 3000-year-old prosthetic wooden toe. The prosthesis was originally found in a plundered shaft tomb at the graveyard hill of Sheikh ‘Abd el-Qurna to the west of Luxor almost two decades ago, but the entire area and it’s contents are being re-examined again using state-of-the-art methods by the University of Basel. The Iron Age prosthesis was initially crafted for a presumably high-standing priest’s daughter and there’s evidence that it was re-fitted throughout her life as she aged. The craftsmanship alone is worth talking about, but the functionality also proves the artisan had a high level of working knowledge of human physiology, which is equally as impressive. We’d be hard pressed to create something this beautiful and functional now, but the Greville Chester Great Toe was made in the early first millennium BC. It’s remarkable.
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Huckberry’s Essential Holiday Gift Guide
Unzip your coat and have some mulled wine on the house—you’ve arrived at your final gifting destination: The Holiday Gift Guide. It’s like your friendly neighborhood one-stop holiday shop, except instead of balsa wood ornaments, ours is packed with thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list. Future heirlooms, small-but-significant stocking stuffers, and gear for getting out there (or staying in)—are all right here. There’s no music playing in the background though, so you’ll just have to hum Bing Crosby while you click around instead.
