Roman
tablets discovered during an excavation in London include the oldest
hand-written document ever found in Britain, archaeologists have revealed.
The
Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) said it had deciphered a document, from 8
January AD 57, found at the dig at Bloomberg's new headquarters.
The
first ever reference to London, financial documents and evidence of schooling
have also been translated.
Over
700 artefacts from the dig will go on display when the building opens.
According
to MOLA, the tablets reveal the first years of the capital "in the words
of the people who lived, worked, traded with and administered the new
city".
Director
Sophie Jackson said the findings had "far exceeded all expectations"
and would allow archaeologists "to get closer to the first Roman
Britons".
Researchers
believe this tablet, is the earliest ever reference to London predating
Tacitus' mention of London in his Annals which were produced about 50 years
later.
Dated
AD 65/70-80, it reads "Londinio Mogontio" which translates to
"'In London, to Mogontius".
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