*Ts 2
| Transliteration | ṭevạ |
|---|---|
| Object | fragment of a stone monument |
| Script | Venetic alphabet |
| Language | Venetic |
| Writing direction | dextroverse |
| Technique | carved |
| Condition | fragmentary |
| Findspot | Parti near Stara Sušica |
| Archaeological context | gravesite / cult site |
| Archaeological culture | the Notranjska-Kras Hallstatt cultural group |
| Date | 5th-4th c. BC |
Original text
Commentary
The object was unearthed at the archaeological site of Parti, situated near the village of Stara Sušica, within excavation cave nr. 6. Together with evidence collected from other excavation caves, it poses indications that the site served as a burial ground.
The object bearing the inscription, referred to as "Košana II" (by Pellegrini, 1981) and more recently as *Ts2, is a stone slab believed to have functioned as a headstone in its entirety (Urleb, 1979). In the other excavation caves, several items from various historical periods, ranging from the late Hallstatt period to the Augustan Age, were discovered. While the exact dating of the object remains undetermined, items like Certosa-type fibulae suggest it likely originates from the La Tène B2 or La Tène C period, corresponding to the late Hallstatt period. The stone slab measures 32 x 19.5 x 7.5 cm and features an incised image of a rider on the back of a horse-like animal. Due to significant damage, only five letters of the inscription remain visible, with only the 3rd and 4th signs (e and v, respectively) remaining intact. The inscription is believed to be written in the Venetic alphabet in an undetermined language. While not definitive, it shares similarities with Venetian customs of depicting horsemen on headstones.
Regarding the other signs, the first sign of the inscription appears as a hyphen, likely representing the lower third of the letter s. The interpretation of the second sign is disputed, with the original proposal suggesting a k, while a new perspective favors a t, formed in a manner that is generally typical for areas outside the Isonzo region. The last sign is poorly visible, consisting of a fragmentary oblique line, intersected by a short dash, and interrupted by the fracture of the object. According to Pellegrini, the proposed reading of the last letter is a, supported by its common occurrence in Rhaetic and Venetian inscriptions. The inscription likely represents the ending of an anthroponym.
Bibliography
Repanšek, Luka (2022). Posoškovenetski areal v luči novejših epigrafskih najdb. Arheološki vestnik 73, pp. 601–605. Laharnar, Boštjan (2022). From Ocra to Albion / Od Okre do Albijske gore. Ljubljana: Narodni muzej Slovenije, p. 135.
Pellegrini, Giovan Battista (1981). Osservazioni Epigrafiche. Arheološki vestnik 32, pp. 311–314.
Bavdek, Alma (2017). Arheološki oddelek. In: A. Čuk (ed.), Muzej je vaš. 70-letnica Notranjskega muzeja Postojna. Postojna, p. 20.
Horvat, Jana (1995). Notranjska na začetku rimske dobe: Parti pri Stari Sušici, Ambroževo gradišče in Baba pri Slavini / Notranjska at the beginning of the Roman period: Parti near Stara Sušica, Ambroževo gradišče and Baba near Slavins. Arheološki vestnik 46, p. 179.
Urleb, Mehtilda(1979). Arheološke najdbe iz Stare Sušice pri Košani. Arheološki vestnik 30, p. 154.
