4,800-year-old artificial eyes found in Iran

Archaeologists working in the historic city of Burnt (southeastern Iran) have discovered an artificial eye - used by a very young woman at the time - who was about 4,800 years old.

"At first glance, it seems that this artificial eye is made of natural tar mixed with animal fat," archaeologist Mansur Sayyed-Sajadi, who is leading the excavation, said. There will be more tests conducted to make conclusions about exactly what constitutes this false eye.

Sayyed-Sajadi added that the ancient people used a fine, thin, half-millimeter gold thread, to paint "the most sophisticated eye capillaries ever" on fake eyes. The parallel lines are also clamped around the pupils to shape the diamond. Two holes in the edges help keep it in place in the woman's eye socket. Sayyed-Sajadi said there were still clear eyelid tissues on the eyeball, as traces showed that an ulcer had developed in the eyelids of the young girl due to frequent contact with the object.

The remains of the young woman (Photo: Discovery)

The eyeball was discovered along with the remains of the person carrying it in a graveyard. Researchers believe that woman died when she was very young - from 25 to 30 years old. Clay pots, jewelry chains, short leather jackets and a bronze mirror were also found in the grave of this person.

(Photo: Discovery)

Thien Kha