Basque Archeologic Discovery

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Iruña-Veleia

Third-century Basque inscriptions found in archeological site

06/09/2006

As the dailies Diario de Noticias de Álava and Diario de Noticias de Gipuzkoa report today, Basque inscription remains have been discovered in the Basque archaeological site of Iruña-Veleia, in the southern Basque Country.

Archaeologists in the site of Iruña-Veleia have discovered an epigraphic set "among the most important of the Roman world," with a series of 270 inscriptions and drawings from the third century and a representation of a Calvary, "the most ancient known up to this moment."

Furthermore, in the same site, 10 kilometres away from Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque inscriptions have been found, apparently dating back to the third century. This would bring the discovery of the first recorded documents written in Basque eight centuries backwards.

Up to this moment, the most ancient were those found at the San Millán de la Cogolla monastery in La Rioja, from the eleventh century after Christ.

If the ages of these writings were confirmed, that would cause a revolution in the theories of the origins of the Basque language, and will move its birthplace to Alava.

Furthermore, some of the legible writings in Basque refer to Christian themes, which would strengthen the hypothesis that there existed Christian communities in the Basque Country earlier than historians thought.

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