Alphabetic <i>Sigla</i> on Stone Beads from Poggio Civitate (Murlo)

Abstract Two stone beads carved in the form of spindle whorls were recovered from the site of Poggio Civitate (Murlo). The beads are particularly noteworthy because they were incised with alphabetic sigla or, in the case of stone bead (PC 19870049), possibly a sequence of syllables with Consonant-Vowel structure. We examine the findspots of the beads and discuss the paleography of the letterforms. We conclude by considering the possible functions of the inscribed beads and their significance as regards literacy.