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MEDICAL IMPLEMENT
Unique ID: NCL-DC5CC1
Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow
status: Published 
An incomplete copper-alloy medical or pharmaceutical spatula, dating to the Roman period. The spatula has a circular-section shaft which expands to a waisted leaf-shaped blade. The blade is lentoidal in section. The spatula measures 69mm in length and has a maximum width of 15mm. The blade has a thickness of 3mm. The object weighs 9.9 grams. Spatulas, like this example, 'often form one end of a double-ended instrument, for example the spathomele, or spatula-probe and the scalpel, the handle of which can carry a leaf-shaped spatula. The spathomele was generally used for pharmaceutical purposes such as mixing and applying ointments, while a spatula in association with a scalpel implies surgical use as a blunt dissector' (Crummy 1983, 63). For a parallel see and example from Colchester (Crummy 1983, 63, Fig. 1947).
Notes:
SF 54. Seen 1.5.18
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: AD 43
Date to: AD 410
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 69 mm
Width: 15 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 9.9 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: Box 4, Bag 3
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete
Spatial metadata
Region: North East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Darlington (Unitary Authority)
District: Darlington (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Near Darlington
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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