Original scientific paper

Medical instruments and toiletry and cosmetic utensils from the Roman Period Collection of the Archaeological Museum of Istria

Alka Starac orcid.org/0000-0002-8254-0849 ; Arheološki muzej Istre, Pula, Hrvatska

Abstract

The medical instruments and toiletry and cosmetic utensils kept in the Roman Period Collection of the Archaeological Museum of Istria come from the Roman necropolises, private houses and public thermae in the Roman cities of Istria and the island of Cres, as well as from villas outside these cities. In some cases, they indicate specific professions, interests and activities of their owners. Typical among the medical instruments are scalpels and hooks made of a copper alloy or iron. Copper-alloy instruments intended for use in both surgery and cosmetics account for quite a number of these museum items; they include tweezers, probes, spatulas, spoons and a small wide-mouthed cup. Metal items, primarily used for cosmetic purposes, include strigils, a hairbrush handle, mirrors and vessels like aryballoi, amphorettes, pateras and cistae. In medicine and cosmetics, vessels of ceramics, bone and various types of stone were used. Particularly interesting are the valuable vessels made of marble, calcite alabaster, amber and rock crystal. Medical instruments and cosmetic utensils and spoons, needles and combs were made not only of metal but also of bone.

Keywords

medical instruments; cosmetic utensils; toiletry utensils; Isis; Istria; Cres

Hrčak ID:

284631

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/284631

Publication date:

10.10.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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