Archaeological excavations at the former Porte Madeleine hospital site in Orléans, France, have uncovered 21 curse tablets dating back to the late 1st century CE, with some inscriptions in Gaulish. This discovery provides insights into ancient Gaulish culture & practices, particularly regarding curses & rituals associated with the dead.

The lead tablets, about 20 centimetres long, were found in excellent condition. They were typically placed alongside the deceased, serving as prayers or curses directed at living individuals, invoking underground deities. The Gaulish inscriptions add complexity to the study, as written records in this extinct language are rare.

Archaeologists are using X-ray tomography to analyze the tablets without damaging them, allowing for "virtual unrolling" to read the inscriptions. Deciphering the texts will likely take years due to the challenges posed by the Gaulish language.

The excavation has revealed over 80 graves − a necropolis that could be linked to a specific group.

Source