Page 104 - Manual of Roman Everyday Writing Volume 2: Writing Equipment

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i.e. with one flat and one curved side, lentoid or trapezoidal. The
edges of the blade are straight but not always parallel to each other,
so the blade can taper or expand.

There seem to be broadly two groups distinguished by their date,
dimensions and shape of head (Božič 2002, 34–35, but for an
alternative typology, see Davis 2016, 6). The earlier one dates to the
1st century and the first half of the 2nd century CE and is shorter
and wider, between 13–14.5 cm long and 2.5–3.5 cm wide. The
later examples from the 3rd century and maybe the second half of
the 2nd century CE are generally longer (16–19 cm) and narrower
(1.5–2.5 cm).

Fig. 77: Bone spatulate strip from the grave in tumulus 26 in
Berlingen (Belgium), around 80 C`vE. Gallo-Roman Museum
Tongeren, inv. 69.B.26.38d. © Gallo-Roman Museum Tongeren.

These objects have been described as labels, folding tools, rulers
or tools to flatten surfaces, for example, of papyri. Other uses can
be imagined such as to facilitate reading by moving the tool along
with the text. More recent research on the wear seen on examples
from London seems to point towards a flattening or smoothing
function and suggests that spatulate bone strips were not primarily
intended for use as rulers (Davis 2016).