We were delighted to present this long awaited conference with Professor Bowman, leading authority on the Roman world. Prof. Bowman spoke on his pioneering work on the administration of the Roman Empire, and most notably on the Vindolanda Tablets.
The Vindolanda tablets are along Britain’s and Northern Europe’s oldest surviving handwritten documents, offering unparalleled insights into life of Roman Britain, including the earliest known birthday party invitation written by a woman. Discovered in 1973 at the Roman fort of Vindolanda, they have transformed our understanding of the early Roman occupation of Britain and (military) life in Northern Europe.
Using infrared light, Professor Bowman and his team, painstakingly ploughed through hundreds of tablets until they were able to work out the texts – some were even in short-hand latin.
See below for pictures of the event.
This conference was organised in collaboration between Oxford Alumni, INRA and partners. It ties in with Camsoc-organised event with Professor Martin Millett 19 June, in an Oxbridge miniseries on Ancient History. Members of both societies are warmly invited to attend both events.
Venue: The Bowman Conference will take place in the large auditorium of Musée Dräi Eechelen, 5, Park Dräi Eechelen, L-1499 Luxembourg.
There is no need to sign up for the talk as there is free access.
AFTER THE TALK, the OUSL is fortunate to have the opportunity to continue the evening over dinner with the speaker for a limited number of guests. See details below.
DINNER: We have secured the nearby Restaurant Feierwon, for an exclusive post-conference dinner with Professor Bowman. The dinner is limited to 20-25 seats, so if you wish to join, do not hesitate to register.
Dinner Sign-up: Apéro, three-course menu with wine at €110/pp. Please write an email to Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Alan Bowman, Professor emeritus is a historian of the Roman empire with particular research interests in the documentary evidence from Egypt and northern Britain. Positions he has held include tutor in Ancient History at Christ Church, University of Oxford, Camden Professor of Ancient History and Principal of Brasenose College, President of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, Vice-President (Humanities) of the British Academy (elected Fellow in 1994).
So, to sum up:
Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026
Time: TALK : 18.30.
Dinner: c. 20.00
Venue for talk: Musee 3 Eecheleen, hosted by the National Museum.
Venue for Dinner (must be pre-booked): Restaurant de Feierwon, 6 Rue du Fort Niedergruenewald, 2226 Kirchberg, Luxembourg.
Organisers: INRA (organiser), /MNAHA(host)/OUSL (David Clark and Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig)/University of Luxembourg OUSL (co-host) in cooperation with INRA (Institut national de recherches archéologiques)
The day began with a private tour of the National Museum, expertly led by Curator Ralph Lange.
Looking at a fascinating face
…moulded from a wax negative
Then came Prof. emer. Alan Bowman’s great talk at the Museum Dräi Eechelen
And in high spirits after our Roman rumination
at the cosy Restaurant de Feierwon
With Oxford alumni of old
…and of new, and with Oxford friends too