EN-1 potsherd

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Object
Classification:	unidentifiable
Material:	pottery
Condition:	fragmentary
Date:	5th–1st centuries BC
Date derived from:	archaeological context
Site:	Ardez (fraction of: Scuol, Graubünden, Switzerland)
Coordinates (approx.):	46° 46' 30.00" N, 10° 12' 7.20" E [from site]
Find date:	1973
Find circumstances:	excavation
Current location:	Rätisches Museum Chur (on exhibition)
Inventory Nr.:	P 1973/2842
Inscription:	EN-1 (aχ?[)
Sources:	Risch 1984: 29–30, fig. 9 Risch 1989: 1580 (No. 1), fig. 7

Images

Object EN-1 potsherd with inscription EN-1.

Object EN-1 potsherd with inscription EN-1.

Commentary

Ceramic fragment; red brown in colour.
To compare by autopsy: dimensions, firing, temper, detailed quality of the clay, inclusions etc.
Found 1973 in Ardez; in addition to the pot sherd some antlers and bones with characters (see Risch 1984: 29, fig. 10a, fig. 10b, fig. 11, or Risch 1989: 1580, fig. 8, fig. 9, fig 10) were found, at which the interpretation of these characters are uncertain (Risch 1989: 1580). As yet the results as well as the discoveries of the excavation are not published. But obviously the objects date to the Fritzens-Sanzeno culture.
The pot sherd from Ardez is very distinguished because of the alphabetic characters the fragment bears. From there this is the most occidental evidence known so far.

Bibliography

Caduff 2007	Bruno Caduff, "Ardez-Suotchastè. Eine urgeschichtliche Fundstelle im Unterengadin (GR)", Jahrbuch der Historischen Gesellschaft von Graubünden (= 137. Jahresbericht der Historischen Gesellschaft) (2007), 5–98.