An Experimental Examination into the History and Perception of Two Nineteenth Century Military Lower-Limb Prostheses with a Biomechanical Analysis of their Functionality and Long-Term Effects

The role of experiment within archaeological research has become an important mechanism through which we can explore past cultures, their traditions, architecture, material culture and skill sets (Mathieu, 2001). However, the experimental process has not been used to the same extent in archaeological experiments to investigate artefacts and inform us about the past experiences of physically impaired individuals. This thesis explores nineteenth-century lower-limb amputation and prostheses, using a combination of documentary, artefactual and experimental approaches, to gain insight into the lived experiences of impaired individuals and the identities they possessed. Concentrating on military amputation and the artificial appliances they may have used post-injury, this research explores the design, construction and social implications of prostheses, through the documentary analysis and detailed study of existing artifactual evidence. This is followed by a reconstruction of two appliances intended for different groups of people; the Box-leg, a peg-leg variation generally intended for working-class soldiers and the Anglesey leg, the first articulated design reserved for the wealthy. Their efficiency is also explored through biomechanical analysis, and comparisons are drawn regarding their kinetics and possible gait complications. In undertaking this research, the importance of the techniques and approaches used here are demonstrated, and the unique and novel dataset produced offers us a fascinating glimpse into the lived experiences of amputees during the nineteenth century and how status affected these experiences, socially and physically. These findings offer an insight into the importance of experimental techniques and how these could be developed to further expand upon our understanding of disability history and their connected artefacts.