Pre-Conquest Surgical Tools
These are actual antique surgical tools found in archaeological sites. All photos are from Dioses y Enfermedades, by Cabieses (see, bibliography).
A lancet of obsidian mounted in a split wooden handle, tied to
prevent it from falling out. A description of its use can be found at circcacuy.
Here we have an obsidion knife from Paracas.
Above is a set of small tumis in typical form. The next picture
shows a tumi used by Rumiñawi to execute Quilliscacha.
Cotton bandages from Paracas.
Cotton bandages and obsidian knife
Bronze tweezers used to extract splinters and other foreign bodies, to
clean gangrenous or infected tissues or as depilatory instruments.