Writing Tablet Mystery

Help the archaeologists decipher the words on these thin pieces of wood. What can they tell us about how the Romans lived? Use the Roman alphabet translator to turn the cursive writing into the English alphabet to uncover the hidden messages.

Latest

Spirits of Vindolanda Exhibition

Celebrating the "Spirits of Vindolanda" with an exhibition of artwork by Lynda Braithwaite.
Find the Flock

1st - 26th September 2024
Roman Vindolanda & Roman Army Museum
The Illuminated Sheep return to Northumberland as the now famous flock form a new Art Trail from the East to West of Hadrian’s Wall. Find a sheep at each of our sites!
Accessible Trench Talks

7th August - 23rd September 2024
Roman Vindolanda
Understand the archaeological excavations with a multi-sensory experience from our accessible Activity Centre with our trench talks. Click here to find out when the Talks are taking place.
Hadrian's Wall Virtual Focus Day

Join us and the Hadrian’s Wall Learning and Engagement Forum for a day of virtual activities themed around Hadrian’s Wall. Take part in live workshops and discover more about the various sites across the Wall. The Vindolanda Trust will be taking part on Focus Day 2 - 28th November at 10.10 - 10.40am.

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 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.
Revealing The Vindolanda Writing Tablets

Video Blog
Curator for the Vindolanda Trust, Barbara Birley, takes us through the process of conserving and photographing the Vindolanda Writing tablets so that they can be read, translated and the secrets they hold revealed.
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.
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.
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.
Day Planner

This is a suggested day planner for your visit to Roman Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum.
Book a Place

Find out about what's involved, how to participate and when you can see the digging taking place. We are now fully booked for the 2024 Excavation season.
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.
Work for us

Find out about any opportunities to join the award winning teams at Vindolanda and the Roman Army Musuem. We currently have a 19 month fixed term traineeship with the Vindolanda Trust- Part of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site and based at the Roman Site of Magna and a 2 year contract for an Archive Assistant at Roman Vindolanda.
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