ogham alphabet

The Ogham alphabet is an ancient writing system that emerged in the 4th century AD, primarily used for the Irish and Pictish languages on stone monuments. It consists of four sets of strokes, with each set containing five letters formed by one to five strokes, totaling 20 letters. These were typically inscribed along the edge of stones.1

The origin of Ogham is debated, with some scholars suggesting a link to runic or Etruscan alphabets, while others believe it's a modification of the Latin alphabet. The presence of letters for 'h' and 'z', not used in Irish, supports a non-purely Irish origin. Ogham inscriptions are generally brief, often containing just a name and patronymic, offering valuable insights into an early form of the Irish language. Over 375 Ogham inscriptions are known, with the majority found in Ireland and some in Wales, often accompanied by Latin translations.12