MI·12

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Inscription
Reading in transliteration:	vat
Reading in original script:
Object:	MI·12 Milano (spindle whorl)
Position:	side
Direction of writing:	dextroverse
Script:	North Italic script
Letter height:	1.2 cm0.472 in <br />
Number of letters:	3
Number of words:	1
Number of lines:	1
Workmanship:	scratched
Condition:	unknown
Archaeological culture:	unknown [from object]
Date of inscription:	unknown [from object]
Type:	unknown
Language:	prob. Celtic
Meaning:	abbreviation (?)
Alternative sigla:	Solinas 1995: 103 a Morandi 2004: 142
Sources:	Morandi 2004: 617 no. 142

Images

Spindle whorl MI·12 Milano and inscription MI·12 from Pauli

Commentary

First published in Pauli 1888: 44–46.

Images in Pauli 1888: Taf. XI, fig. 1 (drawings, middle one = Molinari 1974: 69, fig. 1).

Pauli, in the only first-hand treatment of the document, reads vat inscribed on the undecorated section of the spindle whorl, with the tops of the letters pointing toward the tapered end. He considers the inscription well legible and identifies the alphabet as the archaic Lepontic one with regard to the form of alpha (cf. MI·11) and the use of waw rather than upsilon. Molinari 1974: 69 f. suggests Etruscan influence. vat may be an abbreviation of a personal name; see the word page for details.

Corinna Salomon