A group of scientists from Goethe University Frankfurt has made an incredible discovery by deciphering ancient Roman wooden tablets found in Belgium. These tablets, dating back to the 3rd century A.D., provide valuable insights into Roman governance, culture, and daily life.
The artifacts were discovered in Tongeren, Belgium’s oldest city and a former part of the Roman Empire. Covered with a thin layer of wax, the tablets were used for recording contracts, official documents, and training exercises. Approximately half of the fragments are now readable, allowing researchers to decode various texts including contractual agreements and a draft dedication for the statue of the future emperor Caracalla.
The study also highlights the multinational character of Roman society in Tongeren, with names of Roman, Celtic, and Germanic origin on the fragments. This reveals the processes of cultural integration and Latinization that occurred in the region, demonstrating how local residents, soldiers, and migrants interacted within a shared administrative and cultural framework.
Researchers employed traditional methods such as paleography and philology alongside cutting-edge techniques including wood species analysis, wax residue examination, and multicolored reflective imaging (RTI) to decipher the tablets. These approaches enabled precise extraction of historical information and expanded understanding of life in the Roman Empire’s periphery.
The findings underscore the importance of preserving even modest historical artifacts, as they can yield significant insights into past societies.
