Vindolanda Tablet 1

These tablets are the oldest surviving examples of handwriting in Britain, and were found on the site of the Vindolanda Roman fort in Northeast England. There are hundreds of fragments altogether, written on thin pieces of wood. They date from about 100AD.

This tablet contains an account that may have been that of a civilian trader doing business with soldiers.

The text lists cash sums usually for specific goods, written in two columns - some entries have been scored through, implying that they have been paid.

In the British Museum.
October 2007.