this post was submitted on 01 Feb 2024
35 points (97.3% liked)

British Archaeology

281 readers
13 users here now

For archaeological finds in Britain or by Brits.

See also:

Elsewhere in the Fediverse:

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
 

A metal detectorist in Wales unearthed a Roman silver “ligula”, commonly known as a “toilet spoon”. The discovery, made in June 2020, has now been declared a treasure by Welsh authorities, along with other items.

...

The museum said it has a very long handle with a small “circular bowl” on one end. The spoon was originally straight but was “bent out of shape in two places.”

A variety of uses have been suggested for Roman ligulae, including the extraction of cosmetics and perfumes from long-necked bottles and their application to the face or body, the extraction and application of medicines, and their use during medical procedures.

Silver ligulae, as opposed to the more common examples of copper alloy, are more frequently associated with these medical applications – possibly due to silver’s antimicrobial properties. This spoon contributes valuable archaeological evidence of medical knowledge and personal hygiene practices in Roman western Britain.

The 1996 Treasure Act designates the ligula as Treasure because it is over 300 years old and contains more than 10% precious metal. It will now be evaluated by the Treasure Valuation Committee to ascertain a fair market value. The toilet spoon will then be available for purchase by nearby museums for the determined value.

The Cowbridge and District Museum has expressed interest in acquiring this treasure find after it has been independently assessed by the Treasure Valuation Committee.

all 24 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 39 points 7 months ago (4 children)

toilet spoon

Come on, we're all thinking it... This is the clear predecessor of the now infamous poop knife

[–] tkc@feddit.uk 8 points 7 months ago

First thing I thought of haha

[–] DogPeePoo@lemm.ee 6 points 7 months ago

Came here for poop knife 🔪 💩

Leaving with a full heart

[–] Emperor@feddit.uk 3 points 7 months ago

It makes sense, the bowl is ideal for scooping out the offending jobbie and the long handle means you could probably lob it pretty far. A turd trebuchet if you will.

You can see a clear line of evolution from shitty stick to toilet spoon to poop knife and I am skipping the faeces fork to move straight to working on the turd whisk.

[–] sbv@sh.itjust.works 18 points 7 months ago

A variety of uses have been suggested for Roman ligulae, including the extraction of cosmetics and perfumes from long-necked bottles and their application to the face or body, the extraction and application of medicines, and their use during medical procedures.

Not what I expected from the name "toilet spoon."

[–] kylie_kraft@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago (2 children)

toilet spoon is an unpleasantly evocative combination of words

[–] DonPiano@lemmy.ca 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

In related news, I've decided to start referring to toilet paper as crap napkins.

[–] darkdemize@sh.itjust.works 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] MrJameGumb@lemmy.world 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] smeg@feddit.uk 2 points 7 months ago
[–] Agent641@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

It goes in the lavatory toolbox next to the poop knife

[–] Drusas@kbin.social 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

tl;dr: has nothing to do with toilets

[–] Patch@feddit.uk 2 points 7 months ago (3 children)

"Toilet" is actually one of those cute euphemisms for a thing that people don't like to talk about, like "bathroom" or "cloakroom". "Toilet" previously meant "dressing room".

Amusingly, essentially all the words for a toilet are euphemisms; pretty much the only one I can think of that isn't is "water closet". "Lavatory" and "latrine" both meant "washroom", "privy" meant "a private place" etc. It's something which our language has gone to great lengths to avoid saying!

[–] Cort@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago (1 children)
[–] owen@lemmy.ca 2 points 7 months ago

"Please excuse me, I must make a quick trip to the dumping dungeon before we continue."

[–] Drusas@kbin.social 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Interesting. Here in the States, "restroom" or "bathroom" (even if there is no bath in it) are the more sensitive euphemisms to use so you don't have to say "toilet", which is considered more vulgar/dirty.

[–] Patch@feddit.uk 1 points 7 months ago

Give it another century or so and you'll need to invent another euphemism so that you can avoid using such a vulgar word as "restroom"!

[–] Deceptichum@kbin.social 1 points 7 months ago

What about the word “shitter”? Ex. “Im going to the shitter, ill be back soon.”

[–] SatanicNotMessianic@lemmy.ml 5 points 7 months ago

While the whole toilet spoon thing is interesting, I’m really happy to learn that metal detectorist is a thing someone can be.

I was just always calling them a “person with a metal detector,” which now sounds weirdly politically correct.

[–] Fudoshin@feddit.uk 2 points 7 months ago

Royal shit stirrer.