SZ-98

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Inscription
Transliteration:	]aχvilịṣḳ[ / ]p̣ịθ̣ị[??
Original script:	][ ][
Object:	SZ-98 ()
Position:	front
Script:	North Italic script (Sanzeno alphabet)
Direction of writing:	sinistroverse
Letter height:	1.41.4 cm <br /> – 1.7 cm
Number of letters:	14
Number of lines:	2
Craftsmanship:	engraved
Current condition:	damaged, fragmentary
Date of inscription:
Date derived from:
Language:	Raetic
Meaning:	unknown
Alternative sigla:	MLR 143

Commentary

First published in MLR.

Images in MLR (photos).

Inscribed in two lines in reverse boustrophedon (both sinistroverse, one inverted). The surface is hardly damaged, the lines are well distinguishable.

In line 1, which runs along that side of the object whose original edge is partly preserved, the first letter is definitely , with the top missing. , with only the bar on the right slightly damaged, is also clear; both its bars are tidily scratched twice. Digamma and Iota are complete. The object is broken along the upper part of the hasta of . Then the lower part of a hasta, which can only be another Iota, being followed closely by the lowest bar of Sigma – the very tip of the middle bar is just discernible. Before the drilled hole, the remains of another hasta; a short segment of the breaking edge above the hole clearly represents the remains of a bar – probably (see below).

Of the letters in line 2, only the lower parts are preserved. Right after the drilled hole, maybe the first letter of the line, is probably Pi , turned against writing direction, or Digamma . Of the other letters, only the tips are left, but the following two can hardly be anything other than . Then two hastae rather close to each other, which suggests a reading Iota for the first one; the gap after the second one indicates the presence of bars. After that, another two hastae close together – another Iota?

For line 2, the name piθie (maybe piθie(i) as in MA-5) is a feasible conjecture. For line 1 cp. aχviliske in SR-1.