Curse in the talisman piece of 1800 years

The content engraved on a thin lead roll of ancient Romans unearthed in England three years ago has been decoded , which is the curse to bring more risks and misfortunes to more than 10 people.

Nearly 6cm wide and nearly 10cm wide, pieces of lead dating back to the 3rd or 4th century AD, were found in the East Farleigh area, which may have originally been a temple. Carrying out the analysis, the team found the possibility that it had been nailed to the temple wall or buried under a grave or well.

Thin lead roll when opened.(Photo: Roger Tomlin)

Roger Tomlin, Roman history researcher at Wolfson College, Oxford, said the words on it were not clear. Initially, scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland) used a technique called neutron computerized tomography but because the resolution was not high, the line of text could not be seen. Later, thanks to the scanning electron microscope, they can see clearly.

Decoding the content on a piece of lead, the team found it divided into two columns of personal names: Latin, including Sacratus, Constitutus, Memorianus, Constant (.); in Celtic language (Atr) ectus, Atidenus. There are still 8 other incomplete names, Tomlin said. However, the motive of the curse is still a mystery.

Image after using the scanning electron microscope. (Photo: Roger Tomlin)

Such types of 'black magic ' are used quite commonly in ancient Greek and Roman societies, the aim is to call gods to torment certain objects. Previously, many similar talismans were found throughout Europe, particularly in the UK, more than 200. Most of them are related to theft, so many experts speculate based on the word charm. This curse, the gods will punish thieves in many ways, one of which is to turn them into water-like liquids.

Reference: Discovery