Runica Bulgarica

Part Three Comparative analysis The first researchers of the Murfatlar runic inscriptions are trying to establish the origin of this writing system. Romanian archaeologists focus on both the Greek alphabet and the Old Germanic runes, as well as the Orkhon-Yenisei script. (Barnya, J. 1962, Komsha M. 1964, Bogdan D. 1960) Beshevliev made a comparative graphic analysis of the Murfatlar signs with the steppe scripts from Europe and Asia, the Old German runes and the signs from Northeastern Bulgaria. He is adamant that the runes from Murfatlar are closer to the signs from Northeastern Bulgaria and to the steppe writing systems. Beshevliev also notes the presence of four Cyrillic letters among the Murfatlar runes. He admits the possibility that the creator of the Cyrillic alphabet borrowed them from the runic alphabet (Beshevliev, V. 1977). P. Georgiev sees in the Murfatlar signs changed Greek letters (Georgiev P. 1995). Popkonstantinov believes that Murfatlar signs originated as cryptograph...

Chapter two The inscriptions Inscription M 1           The inscription M 1 contains eight rows. It is inscribed on a wall in church B4. It consists of 33 characters. A photograph of the inscription was published by Popkonstantinov K. Kronsetiner O. 1994. Attempt to read was made by Dobrev (Dobrev P. 1992). Inscription M 2 The inscription M 2 is engraved on the north pillar of church B4 and consists of 30 signs. A facsimile of the inscription was first published by Barnea (Barnea, I. 1962). In Beshevliev the inscription is under number 17 (Beshevliev, V. 1977). Popkonstantinov commented on the inscription and added corrections to Beshevliev's facsimile (Popkonstantinov K. 1993). A photograph of the inscription was published by K. Popkonstantinov (1987). Tryjarski reads the inscription as Elizaremnos Eepponynmos (second line). Attempts to read were made by Dobrev and Voynikov. Inscription M 3 The inscription M 3 is carved on a wall in ch...