VN-15

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Inscription
Transliteration:	? / ]χ̣ạ
Original script:	[
Object:	VN-15 bone (bone)
Position:	front
Script:	North Italic script
Direction of writing:	sinistroverse
Letter height:	1.4 cm
Number of letters:	2
Number of lines:	1
Craftsmanship:	engraved
Current condition:	damaged, fragmentary
Date of inscription:	3rd–1st centuries BC [from object]
Date derived from:	archaeological context [from object]
Language:	Raetic
Meaning:	unknown
Alternative sigla:	TM 653631
Sources:	Schumacher 2004: 324

Images

Object VN-15 bone with inscription VN-15.

Inscription VN-15 - line 1.

Inscription VN-15 - line 2.

Commentary

First published in Schumacher 2004: 324.

Picture in Schumacher 2004: Taf. 13,7 (drawing).

A number of well visible scratches arranged in what appear to be two lines, cut short by the breaking edge. If letters, they seem to be inscribed upside-down; we will therefore describe the scratchings as looked at with the ? pointing to the left. The lower sequence may well represent with the lower part gone, and, though clumsily scratched, upside-down . The reading is supported by inscriptions VN-10 and VN-11, both containing the sequence χa (see there for interpretation). The upper line might conceivably be read ]iia, but would be atypical, and the single vertical scratches are too far apart to suggest an actual inscription. Cp. again VN-10, also on a bone, with three lines, one of them of doubtful status.