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eppur_se_muova

(36,266 posts)
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 06:12 PM Sep 2014

Hadrian's Wall dig unearths Roman stylus wax tablet (BBC)

Archaeologists have unearthed a stylus wax tablet at the site of a Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland.

Believed to be from 105-120AD, the tablet was found just 12in (30cm) from a wooden toilet seat discovered at the same location last month.

The tablet is one of 12 found at Vindolanda this year and one of seven found from the same building level.

Director of excavations, Dr Andrew Birley, said he was "looking forward" to reading the tablet's text.

The site, near Hexham, has previously revealed gold and silver coins and other artefacts of the Roman army.
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more: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne-29077618

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hadrian's Wall dig unearths Roman stylus wax tablet (BBC) (Original Post) eppur_se_muova Sep 2014 OP
Android or IOS? NYC_SKP Sep 2014 #1
So folks been reading on the toilet for a long time, eh? Scuba Sep 2014 #2
OMG, this guy: Arugula Latte Sep 2014 #3
It is a toss up between gross and creative usage of words! riversedge Sep 2014 #4
They are not yet certain, but the translation appears to start with Thor_MN Sep 2014 #5
lol LiberalEsto Sep 2014 #6
The tablet actually was a notice: LiberalEsto Sep 2014 #7
Way, way before Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalogs Brother Buzz Sep 2014 #8
 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
1. Android or IOS?
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 06:21 PM
Sep 2014

couldn't resist!

Cool news. I remember a college research project that taught me about the Roman recipe for hydraulic cement, how it had been lost and I learned that we still aren't sure whom to credit with the rediscovery.

I credit John Smeaton, kick ass lighthouse designer.

 

Arugula Latte

(50,566 posts)
3. OMG, this guy:
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 06:36 PM
Sep 2014

Dr Birley said: "If we are really lucky the person using the seat will have had verbal diarrhoea and we will be able to get their personal thoughts about life 1,900 years ago."



Very cool find! I just love stuff like this.

 

Thor_MN

(11,843 posts)
5. They are not yet certain, but the translation appears to start with
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 07:37 PM
Sep 2014

Here I sit, brokenhearted,

They are still working on the rest.

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