Researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt have successfully deciphered ancient Roman wooden tablets from the 3rd century AD discovered in Tongeren, Belgium. The wax-covered fragments contain contracts, official documents, and educational records, with about half of the texts being legible, Arkeonews magazine reported on January 21.

The tablets were found in Tongeren, the oldest city in Belgium, which was part of the Roman Empire in ancient times. Among the deciphered texts, scientists discovered contractual agreements and even a draft dedication for a statue of the future emperor Caracalla, making the discovery particularly valuable for understanding the political life of the time.

The study revealed the multinational nature of Roman society in the region. The tablets contain names of Roman, Celtic, and Germanic origin, attesting to processes of Romanization and cultural interaction between local residents, soldiers, and migrants.

To decipher the text, specialists used both traditional paleographic and philological methods and modern technologies: wood analysis, wax residue analysis, and multicolor reflective imaging. These innovative approaches allowed for the most accurate extraction of information from the ancient artifacts and significantly expanded our understanding of life on the periphery of the Roman Empire.