Secret of 'cursed tablet' that baffled historians for centuries revealed

An ancient curse tablet, believed to be over 1,500 years old, has been unearthed in Haarlem, Netherlands, shedding light on the magical practices and beliefs that spread during the Roman Empire's expansion.

The tablet, discovered during an expedition by Heidelberg University, is inscribed in ancient Greek, a departure from the more common Latin found on similar artifacts in Northern Europe. It features Egyptian-style deities and a group of three magical symbols known as Characteres. The artifact, measuring 9.3 by 4.8 centimeters, was found beneath an old Roman military settlement called Coriovallum.

These curse tablets, often made of lead due to its perceived binding properties and durability, were used to inflict misfortune on enemies. Historians and archaeologists believe that after inscribing spells, the tablets were buried to influence or bind litigants, opponents, or romantic rivals. The use of such objects was influenced by various Mediterranean beliefs, including Greek and Egyptian traditions, which combined to create potent rituals for harming others.

Analysis of the tablet, conducted using reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) at the Institute of Papyrology, revealed distinct groups of characters. According to Dr. Ast, these inscriptions likely served to transmit the desired message to supernatural forces. The tablet mentions the names of two men and two women, referred to as fellow slaves. A papyrologist from Heidelberg explained that the tablet could be a curse against these four slaves or a curse directed at an unnamed individual on their behalf.

The composition of the individuals named on the tablet is considered unusual, as it includes two Latin male names alongside the others. This particular tablet is similar to one found in Haarlem that records Soterianos Limbaros cursing his legal adversary, Ariston. The discovery offers a tangible link to the ancient world's attempts to harness supernatural powers for personal vendettas.

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The tablet served as a curse against these four slaves or as a curse in their name against a person without a name.