An ancient Roman curse tablet discovered in the Netherlands has revealed a surprising blend of cultural traditions, featuring rare Egyptian magic written in ancient Greek. Found during excavations in the municipality of Heerlen, the artifact dates to the 2nd century AD and offers unique insights into the syncretic religious practices of the Roman Empire's northern provinces. The lead tablet was unearthed beneath the town hall square, the site of the former Roman military settlement of Coriovallum.
Curse tablets, known as defixiones in Latin or katadesmoi in Greek, were small sheets of lead inscribed with spells intended to harm or bind enemies. Lead was commonly chosen because its heavy, cold properties were believed to enhance the "binding" power of the curses. These magical items were often buried in specific locations to influence legal disputes, athletic competitions, or romantic rivalries. What makes the Heerlen tablet exceptional is its language and magical style, which stand in stark contrast to the typical Latin curse tablets found in Northern Europe.
Deciphering the Magical Inscription
Researchers at Heidelberg University's Institute for Papyrology utilized reflectance transformation imaging (RTI) to decipher the faded text. This advanced photographic technique combines multiple images taken under varying lighting conditions to reveal minute surface details. The analysis uncovered three distinct groups of characters on the tablet, including invocations to deities and demons in the Egyptian style, composed in ancient Greek.
- Curious and Unusual Spells from the Greek Magical Papyri
- 8 Hilarious Curse Tablets from the Roman World
The inscription also features three magical symbols, known as Characteres, which were likely used to transmit the curse's message to supernatural powers. Below these symbols are the names of four enslaved individuals: two men with Latin names and two women with Greek names. Dr. Rodney Ast, academic director at the Institute for Papyrology, explained that the tablet may have been directed against these four slaves or written on their behalf to curse an unnamed target.
The Spread of Egyptian Magic in the Roman Empire
The unusual combination of names on the tablet has led researchers to speculate about its origins. Dr. Julia Lougovaya suggested that one of the women with a Greek name might have been the author, bringing her knowledge of Egyptian magical practices from Roman Egypt to the distant province of Lower Germania. This theory highlights the mobility of people and ideas within the vast Roman Empire.
- Ancient Witchcraft and the Spell of the Pella Curse Tablet
- Ancient Roman Curse Tablets Invoke Goddess Sulis Minerva to Kill and Maim
A Roman curse tablet from the Baths of Diocletian. (Marie-Lan Nguyen / CC BY 2.5)
Magic held a significant place in ancient Egyptian society. While spells for protection and healing were openly accepted, curses intended to harm others were typically conducted in secret. Prof. Dr. Joachim Quack, director of the Institute for Egyptology at Heidelberg University, noted that during the early centuries AD, various traditions—including Near Eastern, Egyptian, Jewish, and early Christian—increasingly merged. This syncretism spread throughout the Roman world, as evidenced by the Heerlen discovery.
Preserving Ancient Beliefs
The deciphered inscription from the Heerlen tablet will be published in a scholarly journal, allowing further study of this fascinating artifact. The tablet itself is slated to go on display at the Heerlen Museum, where visitors can view this rare testament to the ancient world's interconnected beliefs and the far-reaching influence of Egyptian magic.
As archaeologists continue to uncover artifacts like this curse tablet, our understanding of daily life, slavery, and spiritual practices in the Roman Empire deepens. The Heerlen find serves as a powerful reminder of how ancient cultures intertwined, sharing magical and religious traditions across vast distances.
Top image: Ancient Roman curse tablet found in the Netherlands contains rare Egyptian magic written in Greek. Source: Elke Fuchs, Institut für Papyrologie, Universität Heidelberg
By Gary Manners
References
Archaeology News. 2026. Ancient Roman curse tablet found in the Netherlands contains rare Egyptian magic written in Greek. Available at: https://archaeologymag.com/2026/06/roman-curse-tablet-found-in-the-netherlands/
Greek Reporter. 2026. Ancient Greek Curse Tablet Found in Netherlands Reveals Spell to Harm Enemies. Available at: https://greekreporter.com/2026/06/19/ancient-greek-curse-tablet-harm-enemies-netherlands/
Heidelberg University. 2026. “Magical” Artifact: Heidelberg Researchers Decipher Ancient Curse Tablet. Available at: https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/newsroom/magical-artifact-heidelberg-researchers-decipher-ancient-curse-tablet
La Brújula Verde. 2026. Archaeologists decipher a Roman curse tablet with magical symbols found in ancient Coriovallum. Available at: https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2026/06/archaeologists-decipher-a-roman-curse-tablet-with-magical-symbols-found-in-ancient-coriovallum/
Phys.org. 2026. Ancient curse tablet bears rare Greek inscription with binding spell intended to harm enemies. Available at: https://phys.org/news/2026-06-ancient-curse-tablet-rare-greek.html
