Vindolanda Tablets
The Vindolanda Tablets are a collection of ancient writing fragments discovered in 1973 at a Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall, dating back to the third century CE. Initially found as thin fragments resembling wood shavings, these tablets were inscribed with ink on wood, a medium that deteriorated upon exposure to air. Over the years, a total of 202 tablets were uncovered, though not all contained writing. Unlike previous Roman writing implements that typically used wax tablets, the Vindolanda Tablets showcase a unique ink-on-wood format. The content primarily addresses military matters, such as strength reports and operational assignments, while also including letters and records of everyday purchases, like clothing and their prices. These tablets highlight the use of wood as a writing medium in the western Roman Empire, complementing similar discoveries in other regions, such as Vindonissa in Switzerland. The Vindolanda Tablets provide valuable insights into the daily lives and administrative practices of Roman military personnel.
Vindolanda Tablets
Related civilizations: Britain, Imperial Rome.
Date: late first-early second century c.e.
Locale: Britain (Vindolanda)
Vindolanda Tablets
In 1973, the first of the documents known as the Vindolanda tablets were found in a third century c.e. fort located near Hadrian's Wall. Two thin fragments, similar to woodshavings, were found. A closer examination revealed writing in ink on wood, but they deteriorated when exposed to air. In 1974, a few more documents were found, and the following year, more items were uncovered, bringing the total up to 202 (not all the finds contained writing).
Previous discoveries elsewhere in the Roman world were mostly of the stylus type, that is, hollowed-out wood filled with wax and then incised by a stylus. The Vindolanda tablets, like a collection of late fifth century c.e. North African documents (Tablettes Albertini), were written in ink-on-wood. In Switzerland, researchers have found more than four hundred similar documents at another military camp at Vindonissa.
The primary concerns expressed in the Vindolanda tablets are military: strength reports, assignments, manufacture of implements, and the like. There are some letters of military or administrative concern, and a few others detail everyday purchases such as clothing and give the prices for such items.
Influence
The finds demonstrate that strips of wood were used as a writing medium in the western half of the Roman Empire.
Bibliography
Birley, R. E. Life and Letters on the Roman Frontier: Vindolanda and Its People. London: British Museum Press, 1994.
Birley, R. E. Vindolanda: A Roman Frontier Post on Hadrian’s Wall. London: Thames and Hudson, 1977.
Bowman, A. K., and I. D. Thomas. Vindolanda: The Latin Writing Tablets. London: Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, 1983.