This writing implement from Roman London dates to the first or second century CE when Roman legions colonised the settlement of Londinium. It was found in the tidal reaches of the Thames River near Cannon Street Station, and it may have been placed there as a votive offering.
The stylus was one of a hundred styli found at the site in 1934. Subsequent investigations have uncovered a wax-coated tablet that was used to write on; scribes used metal styli like this one to score through the wax. The text could be erased by warming the wax, which was then smoothed and re-used. A series of fine ridges at the pointed end of the stylus are for grip; the other end is wedge-shaped for use in erasing text.
Although not universal, literacy was widespread and an essential skill for military and commercial administration.
