Cochlearium
A cochlearium (plural "cochlearia") was a small Roman spoon with a long tapering handle. History. "Cochlearia" have been found in a number of Roman sites from the 4th and 5th centuries CE, including the Thetford and Hoxne Hoards. The word "cochlea" literally means spiral or snail shell, leading many to conclude that the spoon was designed so that the handle could be used to extract snails or cockles out of the shell. The Roman terms "cochlearium", "cochlear", and "cochleare" denote a liquid measure of a spoonful. A "cochlearium" was also a place where snails could be bred for eating