THE HAGUE: Archaeologists in the Netherlands have discovered a rare Roman-era tablet believed to contain ancient magical inscriptions intended to summon deities and spirits to harm enemies.
The artifact was uncovered at an archaeological site in the former Roman province of Lower Germania, located in present-day Heerlen, a municipality in the Netherlands.
Rare inscription linked to ancient rituals
According to researchers, the small tablet measures approximately 9.3 cm in length and 4.8 cm in width. Although it bears written inscriptions, experts note that the text is not in Latin but in ancient Greek, written in a style influenced by Egyptian script traditions.
The inscription contains three different types of symbols and characters, suggesting a complex ritualistic purpose.
Use of lead in ancient “curse tablets”
Experts from the Institute of Papyrology say such tablets were commonly made from lead, a material widely used in the ancient world due to its heaviness and malleability. In addition to its practical use, lead was also believed in ancient belief systems to possess mystical properties, particularly in binding or influencing individuals.
Researchers believe the tablet may have been part of a “curse tablet” tradition, used in rituals intended to invoke supernatural forces against enemies.
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