5,000-year-old artificial eye found in Iran

TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Archaeologists in Iran have uncovered what is believed to be the world’s oldest artificial eye, dating back approximately 4,800 years, at the ancient site of Shahr-e Sukhteh, or the Burnt City, Iranian media reported.

The discovery was made at the UNESCO World Heritage site in southeastern Iran, about 50 kilometers from the city of Zabol in Sistan and Baluchestan province. Shahr-e Sukhteh dates back more than 5,000 years and is considered one of Iran’s most significant archaeological sites.

According to Pars Today, the artificial eye was found in the grave of a woman believed to have been between 25 and 30 years old at the time of her death. The prosthetic was placed in her left eye socket and has remained remarkably well preserved.

Experts say the eye appears to have been made from natural bitumen mixed with animal fat, though its precise composition has not yet been conclusively determined.

The prosthetic displays intricate craftsmanship, including gold threads less than half a millimeter thick used to depict fine capillaries, a centrally placed pupil, and parallel lines forming a near-diamond pattern around the surface.

The name Shahr-e Sukhteh is thought to derive from ash layers found in the soil, suggesting the city experienced multiple fires in antiquity, though their causes remain unknown.

Archaeologists say the artificial eye provides rare insight into the advanced medical knowledge and artistic skill of the region’s ancient inhabitants, shedding light on early practices of prosthetics and personal adornment.