Abstract: An artificial acetabulum has a thin metallic outer shell and a relatively thick metallic inner shell which is secured to the outer shell via a damping ring located at the peripheral edges of the shells. The outer shell has a thickness of less than one-fifth of the thickness of the inner shell to compensate for stresses in the direction of the osseous tissue during the transfer of force peaks. A centering pin is provided on the inner shell and an annular shoulder is provided on the outer shell about the centering pin to provide further elastic damping of forces transmitted between the shells.