Wooden writing-tablet

Roman Britain, 1st or 2nd century AD
Found in or near the River Walbrook, London

Government issue stationery

The exterior of this tablet has been branded with a circular official stamp, reading PROC AVG DEDERVNT BRIT PROV ('The imperial procurators of the province of Britain issued this').

Procurators looked after the Roman Emperor's personal interests in each province, such as imperial estates and mines. The provincial procurator controlled government expenditure and the collection of taxes from the people.

Unfortunately the text of the letter or document, which would have been inscribed on the original wax filling of the recessed inner face of the tablet, is no longer legible.