David Livingstone’s “Lost Letter” Deciphered

July 7, 2010 – 9:35 am

A fascinating discovery for missions and history buffs, a letter written by the missionary-explorer David Livingstone that was rendered indecipherable due to age has recently been examined by scientists and its contents have been revealed.

Read the BBC’s account of the story. An excerpt from the article:

It condemns slavery, relays details of Africa and reveals his ill health.

The letter was written when Livingstone was stranded as a virtual prisoner in extreme environmental conditions at Bambarre in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.