Archaeological discovery
The archaeological excavation, which took 17 years, is the largest medical archaeological exploration ever undertaken. The medical instruments unearthed were displayed to the public for the first time at the British Museum in Britain from May 5th.
Archaeologists have found that the Roman doctor's consulting room was similar to a modern medical environment. There is a small table, a high-backed leather chair, and an operating room. The table was next to a wall with the word "Eutyches" carved into it, which archaeologists estimate was the doctor's name.
The house was built in the 2nd century B.C. and collapsed in a fire in 260 B.C. In 1989, a Roman tree was unearthed in the Rimini area, and wider excavations were later carried out. It was during this excavation that this doctor's house was discovered. Archaeologists have since dedicated 17 years to searching the house in detail and have obtained the most detailed information ever on the state of medicine in the Roman period.
"This is the largest survey of ancient medicine to date," said Dr. Cave Jackson, head of the British Museum's Department of Ancient Rome, "We can now be informed in detail about the medical procedures and methods of the time because this excavation is so complete; previous archaeological discoveries about medicine have been too piecemeal. "
Well-equipped
One of the most unexpected of the 150 medical instruments of various shapes unearthed was a foot-shaped ceramic kettle. For its function, archaeologists explained that after putting their feet into the jug 1,800 years ago, Italians filled it with water or oil to soak their feet to get rid of cold and cure diseases.
"Even more breathtaking is a small chisel for craniotomy, thick in the center and thin around the perimeter," said Jackson, who is also an expert in ancient medicine, "The surgery was performed by first cutting a channel in the skull with another tool, and then using this chisel to safely open the skull. "
Among the medical implements unearthed was a rarely seen iron implement used to remove arrowheads from wounds. It is therefore speculated that this doctor may have worked as a military doctor.
Some dissecting knives, scales, grinding rods and bottles were also among the implements unearthed. The latter two were used to prepare and preserve medicines.
Advanced ideas
Besides the various medical equipment, archaeologists have found that medical ideas were already advanced during the ancient Roman period. People at the time made their own anesthetics, concocting a mixture of mandrake, aspergillus and poppy.
"Joint pain was the most common ailment in ancient Rome, and they probably used hot and cold to treat it," Jackson said.
Based on this archaeological discovery, scientists hypothesize that doctors at the time typically treated patients in three steps. The first step was to cure the disease by adjusting the diet; the second step was to take herbal medicines, usually gathered from nature and ground up; and the third step involved surgery.
The Roman physician who owned those excavated medical instruments knew a wide range of fields. His pliers and other surgical equipment show that he could not only pull teeth, but also remove broken bones from damaged skulls.
"Ancient Roman doctors 1,800 years ago knew that the most important step after a fracture was to remove the crushed bone fragments," Jackson said, adding that "with this doctor's tools neatly bundled, it's clear he has an emergency to deal with. Once he got the message, he would be out at the first opportunity for a house call. I'm still researching and analyzing his assortment of small blades, both for eye surgery and for treating leg wounds."