Reproducing human limbs. Prosthesis, amulets and votive objects in Ancient Egypt

Abstract

Ancient Egyptians usually made use of amulets with apotropaic and propitious function. Part of these objects was used to simulate body limbs with magical and medical purpose because they were considered as substitutes for a missing or diseased part of human body. They could be worn as pendants to give protection or buried with the deceased to supply the missing part and to be reanimated magically after death. A missing limb could also be replaced by an artificial one to restore a mummy, because only a well preserved body was a guarantee of eternity. Amulets in form of human limbs and duplicates of such parts were also used to increase their function. Exemplars of wooden penis, ears, etc., from Egyptian temples show their importance within rituals. Finally, also during Greek and Roman Era, sculpted feet, hands and other limbs were donated as votive objects to thank the gods for a recovery, or to ask for health.