Emily Chan
“You can see the attention devoted to crafting the socket where the iron scalpel blade was originally inserted into the bronze handle,” said Flemming.
“The tiny scrolls are both beautiful and functional, making it easier to replace worn blades over the lifetime of the instrument.”
“The little scrolls—functional and decorative—on the scalpel handle are the most obvious. But some of the details on the two different needles/needle-like instruments are also intriguing. For example, the secondary hole in the more complex ‘needle,’ which might be designed for a specific operation,” Flemming said.
According to Flemming, the scalpel was likely used by Roman surgeons 2,000 years ago for operations and therapeutic procedures such as bloodletting, the act of opening up the veins to draw blood. Additionally, the needles may have been used to sew bandages.
Meanwhile, the probes were used to examine wounds/fractures and clean wax out of ears in advance of surgery. Finally, the spoon probably enabled surgeons to mix medications.
Throughout the years, many other medical instruments from the Roman period have been unearthed across Europe. Most recently, in 2023, a bone drill and forceps were found in Hungary.
