[An archeological problem: the graves of Roman women surgeons]

Archaeological finds provide a helpful source of information concerning women who performed medical activities other than midwifery, folk medicine and sorcery. Greek and Latin inscriptions are not very accurate because in most cases they simply call these ladies medicae or iatrinai without further specification. Among the Roman Imperial tombs with medical tools three graves belong to female Roman physicians who practised surgery and dentistry (as well as the job of a female barber). The oldest is a tomb from Roman Spain, which shows the equipment of a female surgeon from the early Imperial age. More finds of this kind can be expected in the future.