VN-2

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Inscription
Transliteration:	ụ]mep[
Original script:	][
Object:	VN-2 bone (bone)
Position:	front
Script:	North Italic script
Direction of writing:	sinistroverse
Letter height:	1.2 cm
Number of letters:	4
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:	unknown
Meaning:	unknown
Alternative sigla:	LIR BZ-23 MLR 246
Sources:	Schumacher 2004: 177, 208

Images

Object VN-2 bone with inscription VN-2.

Commentary

First published in Schumacher 1992: 177, 208. Autopsied by TIR in September 2014.

Image in Schumacher 2004: Taf. 3,1 (drawing = LIR).

Length of the remains 3.2 cm. The reading is unambiguous despite the condition of the object. The piece of bone is broken to the right of ; but an oblique hasta is clearly visible beside the irregular breaking edge – the reading is based on comparison with VN-3. The lines of are multiply scratched. The object has recently broken into three pieces in storage (it was still seen as a whole by Schumacher); one of the new breaking edges coincides with the hasta of , the second cuts horizontally through and . The inscription may have gone on after , the old break having occurred immediately after the letter. It is, however, too much inclined to indicate a hasta. Cp. the probably identical inscription VN-3.

Bibliography

LIR	Alberto Mancini, Le Iscrizioni Retiche [= Quaderni del dipartimento di linguistica, Università degli studi di Firenze Studi 8–9], Padova: Unipress 2009–10. (2 volumes)