Writing tablet

This is a fragment of a small wooden writing tablet. One side is hollowed out to allow for the insertion of a layer of wax into which a text could be scratched. This wax layer has been lost. A piece of string once passed through the holes, to attach two tablets together. Once the tablets had been firmly bound together, the letter would be sealed with sealing wax. On the flat outer side of the tablet, the address on the letter is still legible. It was addressed to Doctor Albanus, at Tullum Loucorum. This was present-day Toul in France, the capital of the Gaulish tribe of the Leuci (Louci). The tablet was found at the Roman fort of Valkenburg. The doctor probably took the letter from Toul to Valkenburg.