Ireland's oldest ink pen discovered in medieval fortress

A medieval pen dating from the 11th century has been discovered in the Caherconnell fortress area of the Burren, County Clare. The dip pen shaft is made of hollow bird bone, the nib is bronze. It dates from a period in which literacy was very rare and even the educated elite used classical bird pens at the time.

The pen was found in the front of the inner area of the fortification in a layer of 11th century strata by archaeologist Michelle Comber from the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at NUI Galway and Caherconnell. Along with this, other high quality artefacts were discovered, including an ornate gold belt. As ink pens from this period had not been found in Ireland until now, and pens in general were much more the domain of scholars, archaeologists had to test the function of the object.

The researchers therefore made a replica, which Adam Parsons of Blueaxe Reproductions tested. The result is clear confirmation that it works perfectly as a dip pen. It is therefore the oldest known ink pen in Ireland: "An exciting discovery that extends the history of literacy in Ireland, and a most appropriate find for a university archaeologist," said Dr. "The Caherconnell Archaeology Project has been extremely rewarding and has produced many exciting discoveries. However, this find has exceeded all expectations and reveals an exciting insight into advanced secular literacy in 11th century Ireland," she added.

The most common writing instrument of the time was the bird quill, but the pen from Caherconnell was probably the ideal for fine work - perhaps even for drawing fine lines, as expert calligrapher and historian Tim O'Neill has described: "A metal pen of such an early period is very difficult to describe! But it is beyond doubt that it works. It would have been used to create straight lines for edging a page, for example."

While church scribes were copying and creating all sorts of ecclesiastical texts, it is possiblethat a secular scribe might have used a metal pen to record family lines or business transactions. Evidence of international trade (foreign coins, imported goods) has been discovered in the fortress, and given the vast amount of animal bones and waste from metalworking and textile production, the owners of Caherconnell must have had many items in storage and a need for an accurate inventory.

Caherconnell Fort was in continuous use from its foundation in the late 10th century until the early 17th century. Thousands of artefacts and many objects were found during excavations. The quality and variety of the finds testify to the high status of the once wealthy owners. Among the more than 1,800 objects are fragments of musical instruments, game elements, coins and personal items such as bone combs, bronze dress pins and amber beads. A large number of bones of land mammals, birds and fish, remains of grain, marine shells and nut shells confirm that the inhabitants of Caherconnell had a rich and varied diet.

Roman Nemec

Sources: independent.ie, thehistoryblog.com

11th century pen (both sides)

Bronze pen nib

Bone combs from Caherconnell

Caherconnell Cashel Round Fort in the Burren

replica ink pen works great