Scientists have deciphered ancient Roman wooden tablets from Belgium

A group of scientists from Goethe University Frankfurt has made an incredible discovery by deciphering ancient Roman wooden tablets found in Belgium. They date back to the 3rd century A.D. and provide valuable information about Roman governance, culture, and daily life. This was reported by Arkeonews magazine on January 21.

The tablets were discovered in Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium, which was part of the Roman Empire. They are covered with a thin layer of wax and were used to record contracts, official documents and training exercises. About half of the fragments turned out to be readable. Scientists were able to decipher various types of texts, including contractual agreements and even a draft dedication of the statue of the future emperor Caracalla.

The study of the tablets also reveals the multinational structure of Roman society in Tongeren. The fragments contain names of Roman, Celtic and Germanic origin, which highlights the processes of Roman and Latinized culture in this region. This shows how local residents, soldiers and migrants interacted within the framework of a common administrative and cultural system.

Traditional methods such as paleography and philology were used for deciphering, as well as the latest scientific methods, including analysis of wood species, wax residues and visualization using a multicolored reflective image (RTI). These innovative methods allowed us to extract information from the tablets as accurately as possible and significantly expand our understanding of Roman life on the periphery of the empire.

These studies emphasize the importance of preserving and studying even the most modest historical artifacts, which can reveal a lot of information about the past.

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Earlier in the day, Arkeonews reported the discovery of previously hidden graffiti in Pompeii using 3D technology. About 300 drawings were found in a long, narrow corridor connecting the Pompeii theater complex. According to researchers, graffiti contains images of gladiatorial fights, as well as love messages.

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