Vindolanda Tablet 2

These tablets are the oldest surviving examples of handwriting in Britain, and were found on the site of the Vindolanda Roman fort in Northeast England. There are hundreds of fragments altogether, written on thin pieces of wood. They date from about 100AD.
This particular one is a birthday invitation, written by a woman asking her friend to a party.

"Claudia Severa to her Lepidina greetings. On 11 September, sister, for the day of the celebration of my birthday, I give you a warm invitation to make sure that you come to us, to make the day more enjoyable for me by your arrival, if you are present (?). Give my greetings to your Cerialis. My Aelius and my little son send him (?) their greetings.
(Second hand) I shall expect you, sister. Farewell, sister, my dearest soul, as I hope to prosper, and hail. "

In the British Museum.
October 2007.