Bronzen tableau met Oskisch geschrift before 1874

This is a photograph of a bronze tablet inscribed with Oscan script, crafted by Stephen Thompson. In examining this artifact, it’s the symbolic nature of script itself that captures my attention. The act of writing is nothing less than an attempt to freeze spoken word and thought, rendering fleeting ideas into permanent form. It reappears across cultures—from Egyptian hieroglyphs to the Greek alphabet, each system a unique attempt to capture the human voice. Consider how the very shapes of letters, the lines and curves, can evoke feelings. Sharp, angular scripts might convey aggression or precision, while flowing, calligraphic forms can suggest grace and fluidity. The Oscan language, though now silent, speaks volumes through its very presence on this tablet. It reminds us that language is not merely a tool for communication, but also a repository of cultural memory, a way to connect with the minds of those who came before.