Record ID: WAW-84080D
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Somerset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Roman (mid 1st to 2nd century) scalpel handle: The cast copper-alloy handle consists of a rectangular block with one terminal tapers to a circular sectioned arm which has a broken tip. Two faces of the rectangular portion of the handle, on opposite sides, have a low-relief panel which has columns of subtle square blocks. The opposite terminal has a rectangular slot which is also visible on the side faces, and is filled with the remains of the iron blade, now present only in the form of concreted ferrous corrosion products. The handle is in fair condition with an even green patina …
Created on: Tuesday 12th September 2017
Last updated: Friday 15th September 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SF-97C5D2
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Suffolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper-alloy scalpel handle dating to the Roman period, c. 50-200 AD. It consists of a rectangular grip demonstrating rolled-back terminals with a co-incident transverse groove flanking an internal elongated rectangular slot, which forms the housing for the original iron blade of the scalpel (now present only in the form of concreted ferrous corrosion products). The grip tapers at its back edge to form a short circular-sectioned tapering shaft, which flattens before expanding into a blunt dissector element, the latter being leaf-shaped in plan view and with a pronou…
Created on: Friday 3rd March 2017
Last updated: Thursday 9th March 2017
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Worlingworth', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: CORN-349133
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Kent
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast iron instrument with a beaded handle and flattened spatulate terminal which might have been used as a dissector or probe, possibly as a Roman medical or oculist's scalpel. A collection of similar instruments, made of copper alloy and dating to the 3rd century AD, from the Musée Crozatier, Le Puy-en-Velay, France, is illustrated in: http://www.medicographia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/126.JPG Bishop (1996) illustrates a similar scalpel with a blunt dissector and a spatula with an olivary probe, excavated from Roman Aldborough, on page 37, fig.20, nos.204 & 209. Crummy (1…
Created on: Thursday 17th December 2015
Last updated: Wednesday 17th May 2017
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-035654
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete Roman copper alloy possible scalpel, bent rounded sub rectangular-sectioned (3 x 5mm) handle with asymmetrical flaring remains of an incomplete offset blade, much of edge missing. A short integral projection from the upper edge of the handle is bent over and back to touch the upper edge with its slightly curved terminal, probably to form a grip. Surviving length (unbent) 78mm. Width of blade 11.5mm. Weight 8.90g. c.43-c.409AD. Comments made by Ralph Jackson on a similar object from Caston (NMS-6EC227) may be relevant here: 'Bronze was rarely used for Roman scalpel blades…
Created on: Tuesday 16th December 2014
Last updated: Friday 29th January 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: NMS-6EC227
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Incomplete Roman copper alloy possible scalpel, bent sub circular-sectioned (4mm) handle with four transverse ribs at the springing of the asymmetrical flaring remains of an offset blade with damaged convex edge, with pitting and perforations in the thin outer edge of the blade. Surviving length 87mm. Width of blade 11.5mm. Weight 7.36g. c.43-c.410AD. Ralph Jackson comments: Bronze was rarely used for Roman scalpel blades, which were almost invariably of iron and, as a single, un-associated, un-contexted object of idiosyncratic form caution is necessary. However given a) the sha…
Created on: Tuesday 10th December 2013
Last updated: Friday 14th February 2014
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WAW-39F221
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Lincolnshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper-alloy and iron Roman Jackson type I scalpel dating from the 1st - 4th centuries. The blade and leaf shaped blunt dissector tool are missing, only the rectangular grip survives (Length 35.9mm, Width 10.7mm). The end of the grip with the key hole socket has two rolled back terminals, a fragment of the iron tang still survives within the key hole socket (Diameter 2.25mm). The rectangular block tapers to the old break where the leaf shaped terminal is now lost. The artefact has a deep green patina with lighter patches of mid-green visible. Three similar examples can b…
Created on: Thursday 11th August 2011
Last updated: Thursday 11th August 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wragby', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: HAMP564
Object type: SCALPEL
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Hampshire
Workflow stage: Published
Scalpel handle. Long, slender, square-sectioned handle. Iron rivet where blade would have been attached to handle. Raised grip at this point with incised cross-hatching on all sides. Shaft tapering to thin leaf-shaped blunt dissector; both faces flat. Slightly expanded, concave terminal end. Handle bent at junction of shaft and dissector. Even, dark green patina.
Created on: Wednesday 22nd November 2000
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'HAMPSHIRE KIMPTON', grid reference and parish protected.