7th century graffiti from Tintagel

[Duncan Head]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jun/15/inscribed-7th-century-window-ledge-tintagel-cornwall

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-44486385

Includes Latin words and both Latin and Celtic names (possibly).

[Imperial Dave]

still scanning to see if I can pick out 'Arthur was here' 

[Tim]

...but I am sure one bit translates as being about someone called Alan and his mates from the legion larking about on horses with his kontos...

(All will become clear once you read the latest slingshot...)

[Imperial Dave]

  

[Patrick Waterson]

This appears to be another period practice slate, and the fact that anyone bothered to incise lettering as opposed to simply doing chalk-and-wipe indicates that someone somewhere was using, or at least commissioning, incised inscriptions.

If so, some of the inscriptions will probably turn up some day.  But most probably at the capital rather than Tintagel.

[Erpingham]

If so, some of the inscriptions will probably turn up some day.  But most probably at the capital rather than Tintagel.

So, do you see Tintagel as a training venue with no-one commissioning work there, or that its masons commuted to jobs in the capital (whereever that was) as they came up?  Or perhaps both?

[Anton]

Men of Art were privileged and could travel across and beyond polities to supply their services.  On the other hand the courts of kings often had a circuit of favoured seasonal locations so both are easily possible.

I think high status skill sets were almost always kept in families and families like a fixed location-where better than Tintagel where the wine came in and the latest trends and news were quickly apprehended.

Practicing tri-lingual inscriptions is a major statement of what was deemed important.

[Dangun]

Is Tintagel without inscriptions then?

[Patrick Waterson]

If so, some of the inscriptions will probably turn up some day.  But most probably at the capital rather than Tintagel.

So, do you see Tintagel as a training venue with no-one commissioning work there, or that its masons commuted to jobs in the capital (whereever that was) as they came up?  Or perhaps both?

It may even be just a graffiti venue.  The writing seems to be the sort made by a stylus as opposed to having been chiselled in with intent to impress and preserve.

If we knew more about methods of schooling for this period we might be able to determine whether this is standard educational practice or just the equivalent of doodling.  Tintagel on its own is unlikely to tell us anything of significance: excavations from Eboracum and/or Camulodunum may be more productive.  If we are going to get any other than just redevelopment of car parks and tennis courts, that is.

[Erpingham]

Tintagel on its own is unlikely to tell us anything of significance: excavations from Eboracum and/or Camulodunum may be more productive.

I think quite a bit of archaeology has been and is taking place in York and Colchester - I don't think the Tintagel work is drawing attention away .

Also, it depends what is significant.  In the 7th century, neither York nor Colchester had much significance to the kingdom of Cornwall.

[Patrick Waterson]

Also, it depends what is significant.  In the 7th century, neither York nor Colchester had much significance to the kingdom of Cornwall.

There is that: Britain's traditional capitals had by then been overrun by Anglo-Saxons, and the slate-writers of Tintagel would not wish to contemplate moving into the peaceful, integrated environment of the Heptarchy.