Neg A IV
| Transliteration | kerul/p |
|---|---|
| Object | bronze helmet |
| Script | Rhaetic alphabet |
| Language | unknown |
| Writing direction | sinistroverse |
| Technique | incised |
| Condition | non-fragmentary |
| Findspot | Ženjak |
| Archaeological context | to be inserted |
| Archaeological culture | to be inserted |
| Date | 4th-3rd c. BC |
Original text
Commentary
The inscription, about 6.5 cm in length, is located on the brim of the Negau helmet A, below three other, presumably unrelated, inscriptions. Nedoma (1995) argues the location indicates a profane function, as votive helmet inscriptions are normally applied prominently on the bowl.
The writing direction is somewhat ambiguous, as is the identification of the second letter from the right: interpreting it as a heavily slanted epsilon supports a sinistroverse reading, but reading it as an alpha with an erroneously applied additional hasta is also possible. Additionally, the leftmost letter can be read as either a tau (Sanzeno alphabet) sinistroverse or as pi (Sanzeno or Lepontic) dextroverse. The rightmost letter resembles a retrograde kappa if read sinistroverse. Prosdocimi (1986) suggests the letter should not be read as kappa at all, but rather as san (Lagole) or /d/ (Valle di Cadore t3). He also notes the potential significance of the slightly broader gap between it and the other letters, suggesting erul should be read in isolation. Egger's (1959) interpretation of the rightmost letter as the North Italic version of the abbreviation C for centuria was determined to be chronologically improbable by Egg (1986).
Bibliography
Nedoma, Robert (1995). Die Inschrift auf dem Helm B von Negau. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Deutung norditalischer epigraphischer Denkmäler. Wien: Fassbaender, pp. 18-20.
Prosdocimi, Aldo Luigi (1986). Contatti di lingue nella Decima Regio, parte nordorientale. In: Aquileia nella "Venetia et Histria" (= Antichità Altoadriatiche 28), Udine: Chiandetti, pp. 15–42.
Egg, Markus (1986). Italische Helme. Studien zu den ältereisenzeitlichen Helmen Italiens und der Alpen. Teil 1: Text, Teil 2: Tafeln. Mainz: Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum, pp. 614-620.
