A huge stash of ancient Roman medical instruments go on display in the seaside town of Rimini today.

Perhaps the most unexpected find was a piece of equipment that would delight a modern podiatrist: a ceramic hot water bottle in the shape of a foot, into which oil or water could be poured when the foot was inserted.

“One of the most exciting finds was a lenticular, a small chisel used for opening the skull safely after gouging a channel into it with another instrument,” said Dr Jackson.