Chapter Three: OGHAM ARTEFACTS
But, there are existing Ogham inscriptions extant today which have been found carved or engraved on archaeological artefacts made from leather (vellum), amber, silver, bone, wood and of course on stone. The Tullycommon Bone was discovered in 1934 during excavations of the fortification of Cahercommaun in the townland of Tullycommon in County Clare, Ireland. It is a complete metacarpal bone of a sheep with an Ogham inscription on each side. The find dates from the 7th to the 10th century.
Plate 4: The Tullycommon Bone, two sides
Plate 4a: The Tullycommon Bone, Ogham detail
The signs for C and S on the Tullycommon Bone are clearly recognizable as Ogham signs if you use a Latin script for Ogham to the common language circa. 900CE. Notice that the top Ogham starts on the right and the lower Ogham may start at both ends! It is not
possible to decipher any meaning from the inscription.
possible to decipher any meaning from the inscription.
Plate 5: The Ballinderry Bone Dice
The Ballinderry Bone Dice was discovered in 1933 during excavations at a Crannóg known as Ballinderry No. 2 in County Offaly, Ireland. It is dated between the 8th and 10th centuries CE. The maker and its users knew of the Ogham script as interchangeable with Roman
numerals. This unique combination of scripts may show that the Ogham symbol ᚃ has a sound value of ‘V’ because the Latin script uses the letter and sound V for the number 5.
numerals. This unique combination of scripts may show that the Ogham symbol ᚃ has a sound value of ‘V’ because the Latin script uses the letter and sound V for the number 5.
Plate 6: The Ennis Amber Bead and Ogham Inscription
Found in Ennis in County Clare, Ireland and dated to 5th - 7th century CE. Prof. R. A. S. Macalister identifies the Ogham characters as ‘L.M.C.B.D.V., while others see it as ATUCMLU. Currently in the British Museum.
Plate 7: The Ballyspellan Brooch
The Ballyspellan Brooch was found in a monastery near Kilkenny, Ireland. Brooches of this type used to be worn by the Irish, the Scottish and the Vikings. It has four visible names engraved into its back plate and includes a mis-spelling! Dated to the 9th-10th CE.
Plate 8: Ogham on the tuning pins of the Queen Mary Harp
The Queen Mary Harp (Scottish Gaelic: Clàrsach na Banrìgh Màiri) or Lude Harp, is a Scottish clarsach currently displayed in the National Museum of Scotland. It is believed to date back to the 15th century, and to have originated in Argyll, in South West Scotland.
It is covered in original and intricate carving. The decoration includes a number of pieces of Christian symbolism suggesting that the harp may have been made as a commission for a church or monastery. It may be that some Ogham symbols were also musical notes!
It is covered in original and intricate carving. The decoration includes a number of pieces of Christian symbolism suggesting that the harp may have been made as a commission for a church or monastery. It may be that some Ogham symbols were also musical notes!
Plate 9: The Kilgulbin Hanging Bowl
Kilgulbin East Hanging Bowl is a hanging lamp found three feet deep in a bog in 1925-27. No other bronze bowl of this type is known. On the bowl Dr. Joseph Rafferty found two inscriptions in Ogham: BLADNACH CUILEN and BLADNACH COGRADEDENA. He dated
the find between 650 and 800 CE.
the find between 650 and 800 CE.