The inhabitants of Roman Britain were prolific cursers. The most famous curse tablets are those deposited at Bath, but numerous other sites across southern England have also yielded curses. Since we have few other Romano-British documents from non-military sources, these tablets offer precious insight into ordinary civilians and their concerns – and into their ideas of how magic worked. But how, in strictly practical terms, did it work?

 In this workshop participants will learn the different techniques involved in producing a proper Roman curse tablet. Using only replicas of tools and materials available in Roman Britain, and with the option of dressing like Romans to experience working in ancient-style clothing, they will:

·         make their own metal tablet,

·         learn how to inscribe it with a metal stylus,

·         compose (in English or Latin) a curse in the Romano-British style,

·         learn how to read one of the scripts in which curse tablets were inscribed,

·         learn how to write in that script,

·         learn some appropriate magical symbols,

·         inscribe their curses and magical symbols onto their tablets,

·         fold, roll and/or pierce their tablets to ready them for deposit (or leave them open to be admired),

·         learn how to deposit a curse in a way once believed to make it effective.

Participants will be able to take home the tablets they have made, as well as the skills to make more and teach others to do so. No prior knowledge is necessary. Although the workshop is designed for adults, youngsters aged twelve to eighteen are welcome as long as they book together with an adult who assumes responsibility for their safety.

The workshop will be held in the reconstructed Roman villa at Butser Ancient Farm: the workshop fee includes admission to the farm and all materials as well as use of costumes. The farm remains open for an hour after the end of the workshop, allowing time for participants to explore its other buildings and offerings. There will be a lunch break; food is not included, but sandwiches, snacks and hot and cold beverages can be purchased at the farm gift shop. Participants are also welcome to bring their own food and picnic in Butser’s Roman garden or elsewhere on the farm. The weekend’s two workshops (curses and Vindolanda tablets) can be combined for a reduced admission fee and (for an extra charge and subject to space limitations) with a Roman dinner made by food historian Sally Grainger and a sleepover in the Roman villa. Please see below for further information on pricing for these add-ons.

The workshop will be run by Professor Eleanor Dickey FBA of the University of Reading and Dr Marigold Norbye of University College London. Eleanor has published numerous books about the ancient world and its surviving documents and has previously taught at Columbia University in New York, the University of Ottawa in Canada, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, Sorbonne University in Paris, Leiden University, and the University of Exeter. Marigold is an expert in ancient scripts; she was educated at Cambridge and UCL and has taught palaeography (ancient writing) for the past two decades both at UCL and at the London International Palaeography School.

 This workshop is offered in partnership with the Reading Ancient Schoolroom, an educational charity started at the University of Reading in 2014 with the aim of bringing Roman schools to life and sharing them with today’s children. The Ancient Schoolroom will be in residence at Butser’s Roman villa from 19-25 August 2026, offering a range of workshops and drop-in activities.

This workshop can be combined with the Vindolanda tablets workshop on 23rd August for £130 (£160 including transport from and to Petersfield). For the night between the two workshops it is possible to book ancient-style overnight accommodation in the Roman villa or elsewhere on Butser’s site for £50 a Roman dinner for £80 (including transport). Places at the Roman dinner are limited. It is also possible to stay overnight at the Hampshire Hog (a 20-minute walk or 3-minute drive away), the Sustainability Centre (a 90-minute walk or 10-minute drive away), or elsewhere in the area, making your own arrangements.

If you have any mobility concerns, special requirements, questions about the overnight stay, or other practical questions, please contact admin@butserancientfarm.co.uk. For questions about workshop content or the Roman dinner, please contact the Reading Ancient Schoolroom at E.Dickey@reading.ac.uk.