Inscription from Lerga, Roman funerary stele in Museum of Navarre, Spain.
The Inscription from Lerga is a sandstone funerary stele carved with Latin and early Basque words, originally placed to mark a grave. The monument stands 125 centimeters tall and 69 centimeters wide and now rests in the Museum of Navarre.
The stele dates to the second century CE and was discovered near Lerga after lying buried in the earth for centuries. It preserves the name Umme Sahar, an early Basque term meaning Old Child, etched into its surface.
The inscription mixes Latin and early Basque words carved into the stone, showing how two languages coexisted in the same place. This blend reveals how local people and Roman settlers communicated and influenced each other's speech.
The piece is housed at the Museum of Navarre and can be viewed during regular visiting hours. It is registered under inventory number IRMusNav 00050 if you need additional information from the museum staff.
The name Umme Sahar carved on the stone is one of the earliest known Basque personal names on record and reveals how people were called in ancient times. This detail makes the stele exceptionally valuable for language scholars studying ancient naming practices in the region.
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