2013 - Roman Medical Forceps
In 2013 the Antiquities Museum celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its foundation in 1963. The Friends of Antiquity and the Alumni Friends of The University of Queensland assisted the Museum to purchase several significant artefacts in recognition of this milestone. These Roman medical forceps were purchased with funds from the Friends of Antiquity and also marked the 25th anniversary of their own foundation.
These forceps, known as staphulagra in Greek, are thought to have been used to remove the uvula, the fleshy piece of tissue at the back of the throat which hangs from the soft palette. This procedure might be completed for cosmetic reasons, but more probably was used for the removal of a chronically inflamed or otherwise infected uvula. Roman medical instruments of this kind and quality are rare, and this one is not only well preserved but is also still largely functional.