A Sticky Situation

The uses of different gums in Roman Inks from the Vindolanda Tablets

By: David Sim, Katherine Brown

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

This is one of a series of short accounts of experimental archaeological work undertaken on generally neglected areas of ancient life. In each case, a problem is defined and various practical solutions tested and assessed. It is in the nature of experimental archaeology that no definitive answer can ever be provided, but each of these probable or possible explanations can be evaluated. The Roman Empire was justifiably famous for its writing and scholarship. Books of Roman Literature and poetry are still read and studied today. However, as the Roman mostly wrote on wood, parchment or papyrus, very few original examples of Roman writing survive. One of the rare survivors is the Vindolanda tablets. Very little has being written on the ink used in these tablets, or on Roman inks in general. During the course of this publication, we will discuss conventional wisdom regarding Roman inks, and an investigation into the ingredients necessary to make it.