SZ-22.1

edit with form

Inscription
Transliteration:	perkusiale / like iiuịị
Original script:
Variant Reading:	ịperkusiale / ịlike
Object:	SZ-22 handle ()
Position:	outside
Script:	North Italic script
Direction of writing:	sinistroverse
Letter height:	1.01 cm <br /> – 1.5 cm
Number of letters:	14
Number of characters:	19
Number of lines:	2
Craftsmanship:	engraved
Current condition:	incomplete
Date of inscription:
Date derived from:
Language:	Raetic
Meaning:
Alternative sigla:	PID 203 LIR SA-26
Sources:	Schumacher 2004: 137

Images

Inscription SZ-22.1.

Object SZ-22 antler with inscriptions SZ-22.1 and SZ-22.2.

Commentary

First published in PID. Autopsied by TIR in November 2013.

Pictures in LIR (photo and drawing).

Well legible. The first line measures 4.4 cm, the second line 1.8 cm. The two vertical stokes discernible to the left of both lines, which have been read (Whatmough, Franz), are probably the remains of a decorative band like the one on the other end of the handle – see, however, like. The sequence (broken off along the second scratch from the left) is hardly iiuii, but either some kind of numerical notation or simply an ornament filling the line.

The sinistroverse character is here read p because of its opposition to l. A reading lerkusiale is unlikely, but cannot be excluded.

If the pertinentive form perkusiale is here designating the adressee instead of the agent (see Schumacher 2004: 298), the inscription might be translated 'gave to Perkusi(a)' or similar. (Compare the Etruscan inscription Cr 3.15.) It might be surmised that the name of the donor was written on the other grip plate. In any case, with the name 'Perkusi(a)' attested only here and the lexical meaning of the form like unknown, the inscription could testify to a secular present as well as to a votive offering.

Further references: Herbig 1913: 180 Anm. 1, NRIE 99, Pisani 1935: 94, Kretschmer 1943: 202, Battisti 1944: 230 f., Mayr 1956b: 246 (3), Franz 1957: 107 Anm. 19, Mayr 1957c: 427, Tibiletti Bruno 1978: 225 f.

Bibliography

Battisti 1944	Carlo Battisti, "Osservazioni sulla lingua delle iscrizioni nell'alfabeto etrusco settentrionale di Bolzano", Studi Etruschi 18 (1944), 199–236.
Franz 1957	Leonhard Franz, "Südtiroler Reitia-Inschriften", Der Schlern 31 (1957), 105–109.
Herbig 1913	Gustav Herbig, "Neue etruskische Funde aus Grotte S. Stefano und Montagna", Glotta 4 (1913), 165–187.
Kretschmer 1943	Paul Kretschmer, "Die vorgriechischen Sprach- und Volksschichten (Fortsetzung)", Glotta 30 (1943), 84–218.
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)
Mayr 1956b	Karl M. Mayr, "Hirschhornvotive aus den rätischen Bergen", Der Schlern 30 (1956), 245–246.
Mayr 1957c	Karl M. Mayr, "Hirschhornvotiv mit rätischer Inschrift aus Sanzeno am Nonsberg", Der Schlern 31 (1957), 426–427.