"I'm waiting for you, sister": the oldest written documents include an invitation to a birthday celebration (photo).

An ancient wooden tablet discovered at the site of a Roman fort in Britain offers a rare glimpse into personal connections from antiquity. The artifact, dated to the first century, contains a warm birthday invitation written by one woman to another, reports Live Science.

The tablet was found at the Roman fort of Vindolanda in Northumberland, where the soil conditions have preserved countless organic artifacts. Among these treasures is a letter written by Claudia Severa, inviting her friend Sulpicia Lepidina to celebrate her birthday.

The invitation, crafted on a wooden tablet measuring 22.3 by 9.6 centimeters, resembles modern postcards and is dated between 97-103 AD. Using carbon-based ink, Claudia dictated most of the text to a scribe but added a personal note in her own handwriting, making it the oldest known example of Latin writing by a woman.

The letter begins formally, addressing Sulpicia as "wife of Cerialis," and continues with a heartfelt invitation. According to the British Museum's translation, Claudia wrote: "On September 11, sister, on the day of my birthday celebration, I warmly invite you to come to us to make this day more enjoyable for me with your presence."

The letter also conveys greetings from Claudia's family to Sulpicia's husband, Flavius Cerialis. In her own handwriting, Claudia concluded the letter with the words: "I await you, sister. Farewell, sister, my dear, I congratulate you and wish you all the best."

The Vindolanda tablets have opened a treasure trove of information about life along Hadrian's Wall and are the oldest written documents in Britain. Since 1973, over 1,700 examples have been discovered. However, Claudia's letter remains particularly significant.

It highlights not only the role of women in Roman society but also their ability to express their thoughts in written form. This artifact bridges the centuries, offering a touching reminder of strong human connections and celebrations.

We also discussed an artifact from the parable of the ten virgins that was found near a biblical mountain in Jerusalem.