Archaeological scans offer a window into 2,000 years of Roman medical history

The intricate design and manufacture of a set of medical instruments used by Roman surgeons 2,000 years ago has been revealed using cutting-edge archaeological technology.

Using a scanner capable of seeing beneath the surface of objects, the researchers examined six instruments, including a bronze scalpel handle that would have been used in surgery.

Two surgical probes, a spoon and two needles were also scanned at the University of Exeter’s SHArD 3D lab to help build a picture of how they might have been deployed by Roman doctors when treating injuries and medical problems in ancient Britain.

The instruments, held by the Devon and Exeter Medical Heritage Trust (DEMHT), were discovered 125 years ago at a site in Walbrook River, London, rich with well-preserved tools and artefacts from the Roman period. They were studied by Professor Rebecca Flemming, Leventis Chair in Ancient Greek Scientific and Technological Thought, as part of her research into ancient medicine and the instruments and substances used in healing practice.

“New technologies are allowing us to study ancient objects in new and exciting ways, revealing much more about their design and manufacture, their capabilities and their use,” said Professor Flemming, based in Exeter’s Department of Classics, Ancient History, Religion and Theology.

“In this case, one can see the attention paid to the crafting of the location where the iron scalpel blade was originally inserted into the bronze handle. The tiny scrollwork is both beautiful and functional, facilitating the replacement of worn blades over the life of the instrument. All that remains today is the bronze, alongside Greek and Roman medical texts that refer to these instruments and describe the types of surgical procedures in which they were involved.”

Professor Flemming said Roman surgeons used the scalpel for operations and therapeutic procedures such as bloodletting. The probe allowed them to perform exploratory probing before surgery, such as examining wounds, fistulas and fractures, and was also used to remove earwax from the ears. The spoon probably allowed surgeons to mix medicines, while the needles could be used to sew bandages.

“It’s fascinating to learn more about the materials in our collection,” said Megan Woolley, DEMHT coordinator. “And having models of historical objects allows people to handle them and helps us learn more about how they were used.”

It is the first humanities-led microCT facility in the South West and allows researchers to create 3D scans of archaeological and cultural objects that are non-destructive to the original.

For this project, the CT scanner generated detailed 3D models of the instruments at a resolution of 0.05 mm, and with its X-ray capabilities, the researchers were able to peer beneath the corroded surface layers to the original material underneath. The scans of the instruments will be used to produce exact replicas via 3D printing, which can then be used for education and public outreach.

Dr Carly Ameen, Senior Lecturer in Bioarchaeology in the Department of Archaeology and History and Director of the lab, said: “Interdisciplinary research, applying scientific techniques to historical remains and relating this data to other evidence, is essential to developing our knowledge of the past. This is where the SHArD 3D lab can have a real impact, and we look forward to future collaborations in this area.”

“I am interested in the practice of ancient medicine, and how the Roman Empire spread similar types of surgical instruments across its territory, from Britain to Syria,” adds Professor Flemming. “This project also reveals the potential we have here to bring together heritage organisations such as DEMHT with SHArD 3D technologies to explore common questions and goals.”