Wood and Ink

Experiments in the Technology of Roman Writing

By: David Sim

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. Writing in ink upon a wooden surface would have presented the Romans with various technical challenges, so how did they manage to utilise wooden writing tablets like those found at Vindolanda? This ebook sets out to answer that question and explore ways in which a wooden surface could best be prepared to receive ink.