Faddan More Psalter
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An early medieval Christian prayer book, or Psalter, was discovered in a bog in the Midland Region of Ireland in July 2006. It is estimated to have been in the bog for 1,000 to 1,200 years, but the book itself has yet to be formally identified, named or dated by Irish archaeological authorities.
The book is written in Latin on vellum and extensive fragments have survived. Early research shows that the approximately 20 recovered pages are those of a slim, large-format book with a wraparound vellum or leather cover ("[like] a very thick wallet in appearance") from which the text block has slipped. When found, the book was open to a page displaying Psalm 83 in Latin script, which corresponds with the modern Psalm 84.[1]
It is believed to have been made for and belonged to an ancient Irish Christian monastery.[1] [2] Peat provides unusual preservation conditions, and bogs were often used by Irish monks as hiding places for valuables in the face of Viking raids.
This discovery is hailed by the National Museum of Ireland as one of the most significant Irish archeological finds in decades.[2] An expert who called in to advise on the discovery said that he believes the Psalter is the first discovery of an Irish early medieval manuscript in two centuries.[3]
It was uncovered by a worker extracting peat with a bulldozer machine. Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum, lauded the finder for immediately having covered the book with damp soil, as exposure to dry air after so many centuries of dampness might have destroyed it.
The book is being stored in refrigeration at the National Museum. Identifying the safest way to pry open the pages without damaging or destroying them could take months, and conservation work could take two years.
A team of archaeologists continues to explore the site.
See also
- Cathach of St. Columba - a 7th Century Irish psalter
- Clonycavan Man and Old Croghan Man, recent Irish bog finds
- Rylands Library Papyrus P52
References
- ^ a b Ancient Psalms Found Preserved in Irish Bog - NPR
- ^ a b Ancient manuscript discovered in the Midlands - RTE News
- ^ Bernard Meehan cited in the Sydney Morning Herald
External links
- Ireland Worker Finds Ancient Psalms in Bog at the Los Angeles Times
- "Ancient Psalms Found Preserved in Irish Bog" at NPR.org
- "Psalms emerge from Irish bog" in the Sydney Morning Herald
- "Ancient prayer book found in bog" in the Irish Independent (login required)
- "'Irish Dead Sea Scrolls' in bog" on BBC News
- "Ancient manuscript discovered in the Midlands" on RTÉ News (video report attached)
- "Clarification re Psalm 83 in Ancient Book of Psalms" on National Museum of Ireland
- "Bible (World English)/Psalm 84"
- "Bible (King James)/Psalm 84"
- "Book of Psalms (Latin)/Psalm 83"