The present study is an investigation of the structure and use of the ancient Roman surgical instruments found at archaeological sites around Vesuvius, and conserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The instruments have been divided into three groups: commonly used surgical instruments, specialized surgical instruments and complementary surgical instruments. The structure and function of the instruments are herein described, along with the diseases and medical procedures for which they were employed. In addition, the containers in which some of these instuments were stored, and the containers in which medical substances were stored have been inspected and measured. The present study certified the functionality and the features of the Roman surgical instruments conserved at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. It provides medical and archaeological evidence of the achievements of medicine in the towns destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D.
Keywords: vesuvian archeology, ancient medicine, surgical instrument, surgical techniques, sanitary container
