Abstract
Spatulas are among the most common of instruments for treatment purposes, taking on a spectrum of shapes, attributed to a variety of uses, and found in multiple contexts. This makes a rather simple tool a remarkably complicated subject of interpretation.
Spatula can be found in the context of a common household, but also in a set of specialised tools for treatment procedures. The main issue of the topic is the distinction between tools for treatment and tools for self-care, which is particularly required in situations where the contextual data are missing.
The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the characteristics of selected spatulas which can be identified by the detection of manufacturing traces on their surface. Manufacturing traces and traces of subsequent modifications are among the indicators that can shed light on the issue of distinguishing between tools for treatment and tools for self-care.
The traces on several La Tène spatulas that occur in the context of treatment or self-care were examined. Tools that may have been used for producing models, in casting, and for subsequent modification of products, as well as manufacturing methods were identified.
As part of this research, experimental tools were created based on the selected artefacts. Manufacturing traces produced in the experiments were linked to traces found on the surface of the artefacts.
Recurrent traces and a discussion on the possibility of differentiating between the purpose of the tools will be presented.