Revealing The Vindolanda Writing Tablets

Latest

Castrum: Vindolanda Excavations 2024 - 2028

Learn about what our research aims are for the 2024-2028 excavation seasons. What is an SMC and why do we need one? A closer look at why we are excited about our next phase of excavation at Vindolanda Roman Fort.
Bare Bones

21st -29th October
Vindolanda Museum
What can we learn from ancient animal bones about how the Romans lived? A chance to see some of our favourite animal finds and artefacts and learn the science behind the bare bones of Vindolanda.
Roman Pottery

What is it? What was it used for? How was it made? How does it help the archaeologists understand the people of the past? Roman pottery and all you need to know about it.
The Vindolanda Youth Panel 2022-2023

The Vindolanda Youth Panel have curated an exhibition at the Roman Army Museum called Questioning Roman Identity. Artefacts from the Vindolanda collection are highlighted which focus on aspects of identity of individuals along the Wall.

Finding the first Vindolanda Writing Tablet

Finding the first Vindolanda Writing Tablet: A personal recollection of the most astonishing discovery on 23 March 1973, by Patricia Birley.
Writing Tablet Mystery

Activity
The archaeologists at Vindolanda have found this mysterious ink writing tablet, covered in scrawled words. They need you to help them solve the mystery of what this tablet says, it may hold important clues to the past. Can you help?
Writing tablets

Junior Blogs
What are writing tablets? Where are they found? See some examples of the different writing tablets found at Vindolanda and what we can we learn from them.
Top treasures to go on display

News: Oct 2019
More of Britain's top treasure are now on display at Vindolanda. Discovered in the summer of 2017 four new writing tablets are to be displayed in the Vindolanda Museum from spring 2020.

Tickets

How to visit Vindolanda Roman Fort and Museum and the Roman Army Museum. This page will take you through the new systems we have in place for visiting our sites, what is open and how to visit.
Roman Vindolanda Fort & Museum

Visit Roman Vindolanda today and you will find one of the North East’s most famous and not to be missed tourist attractions lying in the beautiful landscape of Hadrian's Wall Country. Formerly a key military post on the northern frontier of Britain, Vindolanda is the home of Britain's 'Top Treasure' - the Vindolanda Writing Tablets - and is one Europe's most important Roman archaeological sites, with live excavations taking place every year.
Roman Army Museum

Lying in magnificent countryside next to a sweeping section of Hadrian's Wall and based at the site of Magna Roman Fort, the Roman Army Museum is an authentic and dramatic tribute to Rome’s extraordinary military legacy. Step into the life of a Roman soldier and experience life on the front line of Emperor Hadrian’s formidable British frontier.
Getting here

How to find us no matter how you like to travel. Whether biking, busing or marching, make your journey as smooth as possible and enjoy more time with us.
Booking and Visiting FAQ's

Have you got questions about what to expect when you arrive or how to book? Take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page which answers some of our visitors most popular queries.
Day Planner

This is a suggested day planner for your visit to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum.
Luna, Moon Goddess

Volunteer blog - Jackie James
The ancient Roman moon goddess, Luna, derives her name from the Latin lucere, meaning ‘to shine’ and was seen not only as the divine embodiment of the moon but also the female counterpart of the sun, Sol.
Work for us

Find out about any opportunities to join the award winning teams at Vindolanda and the Roman Army Musuem. We currently have three new fixed term posts with the Vindolanda Trust- Part of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and based at the Roman Site of Magna.
Book a Place

Find out about what's involved, how to participate and when you can see the digging taking place. Booking for 2024 Vindolanda excavation will take place on 1st November 2023. We are fully booked for the Vindolanda & Magna 2023 Excavations.
Local Accommodation

There is a vast range of places to stay near to Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum with all budgets catered for.

Carved stone depicting mystery horseman uncovered.

A beautifully carved sandstone relief which depicts a naked male figure holding a spear stood in front of a horse/donkey has been uncovered during the annual excavations at the Roman fort of Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Read more