Birsay 4 (S-ORK-007)

Provenance

Discovery: Found during excavations in 1980s.

Findspot: Birsay and Harray, Orkney, Scotland (National Grid Reference: HY 2398 2850)

Current repository: Scotland National Museums of Scotland (inv. no. X.HB 595)

Last recorded location(s): Now in the National Museums of Scotland (X.HB 595), and currently on loan to Orkney Museum (1982.143).

Support

Object type: Gaming piece

Material: Stone type unknown

Dimensions: H 0.0325 × diam. 0.04 m

Condition: The inscription appears to be complete, but the letters are worn.

Inscription

Text field: The inscription is on the rounded top of the stone and consists of three letters. There is a clear stemline which is roughly medially placed. Two of the three ogham letters are placed very closely together, while the first or last letter is separated by a gap.

Letters: The ogham characters and stemline appear to have been roughly scored.

Edition

Ogham text: ᚁ̣ᚐ̣ᚁ̣

Transcription: ḄẠḄ →

Critical apparatus:

The direction of reading is dependent on the position in which the stone is held. Regardless of the direction in which the inscription is read, it does not yield any particular sense. One possible reading is: BAB

Translation

The text is most likely an example of casual graffiti.

Commentary

It is possible that this object was a gaming piece. If so, the ogham characters of Birsay 4 might offer further evidence for ogham literacy in a recreational context. The use of ogham in a recreational context is also attested in Inchmarnock 2 (S-BUT-003) and Inchmarnock 3 (S-BUT-004).

Visiting the Birsay 4 (S-ORK-007) Ogham Stone

The Birsay 4 (S-ORK-007) stone is one of Scotland's finest early medieval monuments — and well worth the journey. Whether you're a dedicated epigrapher, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who loves exploring ancient places, seeing a 1,500-year-old inscription in person is an experience unlike any other.