Stonecutters' mistakes in ancient epigraphic monuments from the Sarajevo region Cover Image

Klesarske greške na antičkim epigrafskim spomenicima sarajevske regije
Stonecutters' mistakes in ancient epigraphic monuments from the Sarajevo region

Author(s): Amra Šačić Beća
Subject(s): Cultural history, Local History / Microhistory, Ancient World
Published by: Udruženje za proučavanje i promoviranje ilirskog naslijeđa i drevnih i klasičnih civilizacija “BATHINVS”
Keywords: Sarajevo;stonecutters' mistakes;epigraphy;tombstones;Aquae S;onomastics; reconstruction; province of Dalmatia;

Summary/Abstract: There are only a few epigraphic monuments discovered within the Sarajevo region.The text provides a table that clearly shows that, as expected, the majority of these monuments are of sepulchral character. In the research process, the focus was on the analysis of inscriptions with notable stonemasonry mistakes. Namely, four inscriptions contained elements that suggested stone-cutting mistakes. The analysis showed that three out of four inscriptions contained stonemasonry mistakes. On the other hand, the fourth monument, an instrumentum domesticum, contained no such mistake, although its mistake is the result of the contemporary test reconstruction. The monuments with inscription mistakes were discovered in different locations – Gradac between Pazarić and Hadžići (CIL III, 08375 = CIL III, 12749), Krivoglavci near Vogošća (AE 2006, 1022), and Ilidža (AE 2004, 1110 = AE 1980, 069). Following the analysis of the selected samples, it is unquestionable that there are quite many mistakes on a relatively small sample,as well as certain oversights in contemporary text reconstructions or readings. In the inscription from Gradac, the word filia was carved in accusative singular filiam instead of dative filiae. The second mistake on the same inscription was that the incorrect word diffunctam was carved instead of dative singular defunctae. On the other hand, in the inscription from Krivoglavci, the stonecutter replaced the number of years of the deceased with the number of months. Moreover, the letter D was carved instead of the letter T in the word et in the same inscription. In the third inscription, the stonecutter unnecessarily used the word con. It is evident that future research of ancient epigraphy should revise the readings of the monuments discovered in the inland of the Roman province of Dalmatia.

  • Issue Year: 4/2020
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 223-238
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Bosnian