iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Crisp @crisp91.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A 3,200-year-old inscription may help archaeologists identify the lost Egyptian city of Mesen. 🏺 Found along the ancient Way of Horus, the site reveals traces of temples, roads, military activity, and the reign of Ramesses II. History still has secrets buried beneath our feet. ✨

gizmodo.com

Archaeologists Say 3,200-Year-Old Inscription May Point to 'Lost' Ancient Egyptian City

The city of Mesen lay in a key strategic location for ancient Egypt's military campaigns at the time.

06613

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Ny Björn Gustafsson @nybjorn.eurosky.social · 24/07/2026

Newly found stone with runes from a medieval chapel at Sondum in the Faroes (hence I hesitate to refer to it as a rune stone - a grave context appears more likely at present…) 🥳🏺 www.tjodsavnid.fo/greinir/runa...

tjodsavnid.fo

Rúnarsteinur funnin í útgrevstri á Sondum á Sandi — Tjóðsavnið

Í fornfrøðiliga útgrevstrinum á Sondum á Sandi komu fólk frá Tjóðsavninum í vikuni fram á ein rúnarstein. Rúnarsteinurin lá í gólvinum í einum bygningi, sum er givin fram í fornfrøðiliga útgrevstrinum...

03814

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Kristine Ødeby Haugan @kristeby.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Visited the Hogganvik #runestone near Mandal, Norway a few days ago! Raised c. 400 AD by naudigastiR the Wolverine in honour of kelbaÞewas. Presented here by my dog. 🏺 #runes #runicinscription #futhark #elderfuthark #protonorse #ironage

031

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

Here is a #portrait of a #Libyan #script user by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Libyco-Berber script here: matuww.com/script_info/Libyco-Berber.html #historicalart

1134

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

#Siddham #script in the wild. #Artwork by umi.doodle and description Koutoku-in (高徳院), #Kamakura, #Japan. #writingscripts #art #matuww

170

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

#Siddham #script in the wild. Stone #pagoda in zen garden. Shibamata Taishakuten (柴又帝釈天), #Tokyo, #Japan. #writingscripts #art #matuww

030

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

New #commission #art joins the #gallery of #matuww! Many thanks to Claud for depicting #Greeks who are still using the #Greek script today! Learn more about the Greek #alphabet here: tinyurl.com/2xeu35ek Check out Claud here: tinyurl.com/26kk7y5u

000

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

New #commission #art joins the #gallery of #matuww! Many thanks to maramalov for depicting #Bosnian people, who were #Bosancica script users! Learn more about these Bosančica here: tinyurl.com/rnnhekmy

131

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

We present our rendition of #portrait of #Magyar people, who would have been users of #Szekely- #Hungarian #Rovash to write (Old) Hungarian! See the whole thread to learn more about the writing script, view the whole thread! Learn more here: tinyurl.com/y86su2cc #art #historicalart

040

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

#Dalecarlian #Runes, or #Dalrunor, were used to write #Övdalian or #Elfdalian in #Dalarna, #Sweden, during 16-19 c. CE It is likely descended from #Medieval Runes. Full page: tinyurl.com/aprct9ts #writingscripts #linguistics #history #map #matuww

121

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

#Medieval #Runes were used to write #Scandinavian languages in 12-17 c. CE. It is descended from #Younger #Futhark. Unlike its predecessors, letters were arranged in the #Latin order rather than Futhark. Full page: tinyurl.com/yc2jrt4j #writingscripts #linguistics #history #map #matuww

283

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

An example of Long-branch #Younger #Futhark #Runic writing: The Jelling stones. 10 c. CE. Jelling, #Denmark. For more information: tinyurl.com/2fu9efum #writingscripts #language #history #epigraphy 🏺 #matuww

1116

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

#Younger #Futhark #Runes were used to write Old #Norse in 8-12 c. CE, coinciding with the #Viking Age. It is derived from Elder Futhark and comes in different flavours: Long-branch, Short-twig, Staveless, #Norwegian Full page: tinyurl.com/4n3cptkx #writingscripts #linguistics #history #map #matuww

110

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

#Anglo-Frisian #Futhorc #Runes were used to write Anglo-Frisian languages in 5-11 c. CE. It is unclear if Futhorc was developed in #Britain and spread to the #European continent in #Frisia or vice versa. Full page: tinyurl.com/bp57b9tx #writingscripts #linguistics #history #map #matuww

150

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Elder #Futhark #Runes were used to write Northwest #Germanic and #Gothic languages in 1 - 8 c. CE. There is a general dissensus over whether the script was developed from #Latin, #Etruscan, #Greek, or a combination. Full page: tinyurl.com/4xnaw6ht #writingscripts #linguistics #history #map #matuww

151

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

We present our rendition of #portrait of a pair of #Goturk #horse riders, who would have been users of Old #Turkic to write the Old Turkic language! See the whole thread to learn more about the writing script, view the whole thread! #art #historicalart

061

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Beautiful initial 'q'(uoniam) at the beginning of Luke's Gospel BnF MS Latin 3; Biblia (known as the Bible of Saint-Maur-des-Fossés or the Bible of Rorigon); 9th century; Abbey Saint-Martin de Tours; f.327v @gallicabnf.bsky.social

0143

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Looking at you, looking at me 'O'(mnis arbor que non facit fructum) BnF MS Latin 2819; Opera Patrum Ecclesiae et Processionale ad usum Sancti Maurini; end of 11th century-beginning of 12th century; Saint-Maurin (?) ou Moissac; f.48r @gallicabnf.bsky.social

0418

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

The #Gothic #alphabet was used to write the eastern #Germanic language. Users migrated from Germania to eastern Europe in 4 c. CE and then to southern Europe and established the #Ostrogothic and #Visigothic Kingdoms. Full page: tinyurl.com/mr23cpjc #writingscripts #linguistics #history #map #matuww

1102

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

New #commission #art joins the #gallery of #matuww! Many thanks to Alonelyspirit for depicting #Komi people, who were Old #Permic, #Cyrillic, and #Molodtsov script users! Learn more about these #alphabets here: tinyurl.com/ycj8f8uu tinyurl.com/4ypcdrub tinyurl.com/yryzpm7m #pixelart #pixel

150

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Finally, we'd like to showcase this meticulous #diagram portraying the #evolution of #Latin writing during the #Roman #classical era into ubiquitous modern #typefaces. See the whole diagram and learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #history #paleography #typography #matuww

000

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

From the classical #typefaces many more are being developed to this very day. Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #history #Latin #typography #matuww

020

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Beautiful 'B'(eatus) BnF Latin 2508; Regius Odo Astensis, Expositio in Psalmos; 12th century; f.1r @gallicabnf.bsky.social

0307

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

From #Roman and #Italic #typefaces, typographers created what is now known as #classical typefaces. Well-known examples include: #Centaur, #Garamond, and #Times New Roman. Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #history #Latin #typography #matuww

020

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

With the advent of the printing press, #humanists adopted this technology for humanist #typefaces. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #Latin #manuscript #typography #matuww

1. Roman Type

De evangelica praeparatione. Venice, Italy. 1470 CE.
Printed by Nicholas Jenson.

2. Italic Type

Eclogues. Venice, Italy. 1501 CE.
Printed bu Aldus Manutius.

040

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

During the #Italian #Renaissance, #humanists created a reactionary script to #Gothic by looking into the past - the #Humanist #Script. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #Latin #manuscript #paleography #typography #matuww

1. During the Italian Renaissance, humanists created a reactionary script to Gothic by looking into the past, from what they thought was a "classical" script.
Thus they created the Humanistic Script.

Also known as Antiqua. This hand was derived from Caroline Minuscules.
Many printing typefaces and modern computer fonts were based on this.

Example:
Eusebius Caesariensis, Prosper de Aquitania, Chronicon. Florence, Italy. 15 c. CE.

2. Humanist Cursives

Conventi soppressi J.VI.11. Italy. 15 c. CE.
Written by Niccolò Niccoli, an Italian Renaissance humanist, whose cursive script developed into Italic type.

020

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

More #blackletter hands: #Schwabacher & #Fraktur (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #Latin #manuscript #paleography #typography #matuww

1. Schwabacher
Developed from French Bastard Gothic (Lettre Bâtarde). This was widely used in Germany and Switzerland.

Example:
The Nuremberg Chronicle. Germany. 1493 CE.

$2. Fraktur A typeface commissioned Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. It is named for its broken character of lines in the letters (Latin: fractus). Outside of Germany, Fraktur was also used in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria at its peak. Example: Prayer book of Maximilian I. Augsburg, Germany. 1513 CE.$

020

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

#Gothic #Minuscules (cont) Following #textualis (formal gothic), other variants of Gothic scripts emerged, e.g. #cursive and hybrid/bastard Gothic. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #Latin #manuscript #paleography #typography #matuww

1. Cursive Gothic (Littera Gothica Cursiva)
Cursive Gothic was developed from Formal Gothic in 13 c. CE.
It was likely due to the introduction of paper, which was smoother than parchment, that allowed for faster and more cursive writing.
Cursive Gothic was not standardised and many regional variants existed.

Example:
Speculum humanae salvationis. France or Low Countries. 15 c. CE.
The Mirror of Human Salvation - contains the Old Testament, New Testament, 7 Stations of the Passion, 7 Sorrows and 7 Joys of Mary.

2. Bastard/Hybrid Gothic (Littera Gothica Bastarda/Hybrida)
Bastard Gothic was developed in 14 c. CE as from Formal Gothic and Cursive Gothic.

Similarly, Bastard Gothic was not standardised and many regional variants existed.

Example:
Book of fayttes of armes and of Chyualrye. 11 - 16 c. CE.
Written in Burgundian bâtarde (Lettre Bourguignone).

3. English Bastard Gothic
Bastarda Anglicana
English Bastard Gothic was developed in 14 c. CE.

Example:
The Regiment of Princes. London, England. c. 1411 - 1420 CE.

020

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

#Gothic #Minuscules came after #Carolingian Minuscules. As these developed, different variants also emerged, for example, #Textualis. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #Latin #medieval #manuscript #paleography #typography #matuww

1. Not to be confused with the Gothic script used to write the Eastern Germanic Gothic language.

Gothic Minuscules were derived from Carolingian Minuscules. Its earlier form was known as Protogothic, which was visually similar to the latter.
As Gothic Minuscules developed, different categories and many regional variants also emerged.

Proto-Gothic Example:
Rochester New Testament. Rochester Cathedral Priory, England. c. 1130 CE.

2. Formal Gothic (Textualis)
Formal Gothic was derived from Protogothic in northern France in 12 c. CE. This began to be widely used in France, the Low Countries, England, and Germany.
There are four grades of Formal Gothic: Prescissa, Quadrata, Semiquadrata, and Rotunda.

Prescissa (sine pedibus) were characterised with angular letters lacking small decorative strokes at their extremities (serifs).

Gothica Textura Prescissa example:
The Luttrell Psalter. England. c. 1320 – 1340 CE.

3. Quadrata was developed from Prescissa. It was characterised for having small square shaped serifs.

Semiquadrata shared a similar appearance to Quadrata but has less consistent serifs.

Gothica Textura Quadrata example:
Canon Missae. Mainz, Germany. 1458 CE.

4. Gothica Textura Rotunda
Not to be confused with northern Italian variant of Gothic, also known as Rotunda.
This hand had upstroking curves at the bottom of letters, presumably to make writing faster.

Gothica Textura Rotunda example:
Exerpt from a Book of Hours in Dutch. Likely Utrecht, Netherlands. 15 c. CE.

131

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

#Carolingian #Renaissance The ambitious #Charlemagne the Great promoted a standardised script across his empire to promote education - Carolingian #Minuscule. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #latin #manuscript #paleography #matuww

Carolingian Renaissance

The ambitious Charlemagne the Great promoted a standardise script across his empire to promote education. As a result, manuscripts were copied faster and with fewer mistakes.

This helped promote a rapid spread of literature, art, and science across Western Europe, ultimately driving the Carolingian Renaissance.

While developing from Roman Half-uncials, it was also received influences from the Merovingian, Visigothic, and Anglo-Saxon hands.

Example:
Cod. Sang. 116. Switzerland. 9 c. CE.
Collection of Christian theological and exegetical texts.

040

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Here is a #portrait of a #Sabellian South #Picene #script users by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the South Picene script here: matuww.com/script_info/South_Picene.html #historicalart

160

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

#Insular National Hands in #Ireland and #Britain #UK These were influenced by #Roman Half-Uncials than New Roman #Cursives. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #paleography #matuww

1. Insular Majuscules
Originated from Ireland, when catholics were first proselytising the island.
Also known as Insular Half-uncials or Rounded Hand. Manuscripts have characteristically been decorated with Celtic artistic tradition.
Later, this hand spreaded to the rest of the British Isles.

Example:
The Book of Kells. Columban monasteries in Ireland and Britain. 9 c. CE.
Contains the four Gospels in Latin.

2. Insular Minuscules
Originated from Ireland and derived from Insular Majuscules.
Also known as Pointed Hand, this hand quickly replaced the Round Hand as it was more convenient to write and cursive. This hand is still used in Ireland today.
Meanwhile in England, this hand was used to write Old English. Addional modified Latin letters and letters derived from Anglo-Saxon Runes were added to the alphabet to represent sounds not found in Latin.

Example:
The Exeter Book. England. c. 10 c. CE.
Codex of Old English poetry.

050

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Here is a #portrait of an #Achaemenid #Persian #Aramaic #script user by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Aramaic script here: matuww.com/script_info/Imperial_Aramaic.html #historicalart

1216

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Continental post- #Roman #National #Hands Different European regions began to develop their own distinct styles after the fall of Rome. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #paleography #Latin #manuscript #matuww

1. Post-Roman National Hands

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, there was a lack of a central authority to maintain the consistency of writing across its territories.
As a result, different regions began to develop their own distinct regional styles of writing.

The continental national hands were influcenced by New Roman Cursives.

East-Frankish Minuscules
Example:
Chronica / Fredegar, VLQ 5. Switzerland. 8 - 9 c. CE.
Chronicle of Fredegar, a 7th century Frankish chronicle.

2. Merovingian Minuscules

Orginated from France under the Merovingian dynasty. This is an umbrella term that encompasses a variety of scripts used in the region.
The example above is more specifically the "Luxeuil minuscule", eponymous of the Luxeuil Abbey in Burgundy, a prominent centre of writing and learning.

Example:
Lectionarius gallicanus. Likely Luxeuil Abbey, France. 7 - 8 c. CE.
Contains the readings for several feast days, the Prophetical Lessons, and epistles and Gospels.

3. Visigothic Minuscules
Originated from Iberia under the Visigothic Kingdom.
While based on New Roman Cursives, it shared influences from Roman Uncials and Half-unicals.

Example:
The 'Silos Apocalypse'. Santo Domingo de Silos, Spain. c. 1091-1109 CE.
Commentary on the Apocalypse.

4. Beneventan Minuscules
Originated in southern Italy under the Duchy of Benevento. The Italian writing tradition survived in the south as the north was under Beneventan influence.
This was the most long-lived post-Roman national hand.

Example:
BPL 2842. Monte Cassino Abbey, Italy. 11 c. CE.

010

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Here are #portraits of Archaic #Greek #script users by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about Epichoric Archaic Greek scripts here: matuww.com/script_info/Archaic_Greek.html #historicalart

183

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Next, moving on to #Roman #Uncials. Uncials were a form of #majuscule script and were influenced by Roman #Cursives. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #paleography #matuww

1. Uncials were a form of majuscule script. As parchment became more commonly used than papyrus, scribes were able to produce more rounded letterforms.
This hand was likely influenced by Greek Uncials, which are also characterised by their rounded shapes.

Roman Uncials were likely influenced by New Roman Cursives.
As the Roman Empire underwent Christianisation, Latin uncials grew in popularity, gradually replaced Roman Rustic Capitals, which had been commonly used for pagan literature, and became a favoured script for writing Christian texts.

Example -
Pal. lat. 210. Likely Italy. 6 - 7 c. CE.
Manuscript collection of early Christian theological opuscule texts (mainly works of St. Augustine and related writers).

2. Despite the name, Roman Half-uncials were not likely to be derived from Roman Uncials, but were likely influenced by New Roman Cursives as well.

Example -
Veterum Fragmentorum Manuscriptis Codicibus detractorum collectio Tom. II. Northern Italy. c. 5 - 10 CE.
Collection containing the oldest Vulgate version of the Gospels and fragments of Psalm manuscripts in Latin and German.

030

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Here are #Daunian and #Apulian #portraits of #Messapic #script users by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Messapic script here: matuww.com/script_info/Messapic.html #historicalart

182

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Last time we whizzed through examples of #Latin #writing. We’re going to put more attention on that here. #Roman #Capitals and Roman #Cursives. (More info in alt text) Learn more here: tinyurl.com/397vfx7n #writingscripts #linguistics #history #epigraphy #paleography #matuww

1. Capitals are angular letters with straight lines with each letter individually formed distinctly and clearly separated from the others.
Capitals are majuscule.

Roman Square Capitals used in manuscrupts are derived from inscriptions carved on hard materials, such as marble.
While having a reputable impression and being only used in high-grade manuscripts, it is extremely time consuming to write in this hand.

2. Roman Rustic Capitals
This less rigid hand allowed scribes to write more rapidly than with Square Capitals.

3. Roman Cursives were used in day-to-day scenarios by Romans for secular use.
Note that these were highly non-standardised and letter shapes vary greatly.

Old Roman Cursives were derived from Square Capitals.
While a cursive script, letters were more discerete than connected continuously, suggesting it was used to write on wax tablets than on papyrus.

4. New Roman Cursives were derived from Old Roman Cursives.
As wax tablets as a writing medium went out of fashion, New Roman Cursive developed to become more rapidly written with connected letters.

010

Reposted by Matuww Scripts

Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

'T'(ranseundum) BnF MS Latin 1618; Pseudo-Dionysius Areopagita, interprete Johanne Scoto Erigena, cum commentario s. Maximi; 12th century; Saint-Émilion, diocese of Bordeaux?; f.13v @gallicabnf.bsky.social

0144

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Here are #portraits of #Scythian #Proto-Rovash #script users by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Proto-Rovash script here: matuww.com/script_info/Proto-Rovash.html #historicalart

120

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Here are #portraits of #Roman #Latin #script users by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Latin script here: matuww.com/script_info/Latin.html #historicalart

174

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

We have made an effort to proudly let you know that #matuww is #donebyhumans. #noai

050

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

Here is a #portrait of an #Oscan #script user by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Oscan script here: matuww.com/script_info/Oscan.html #historicalart

1103

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Many thanks to Dragos, who recorded himself reciting the first 3 stanzas from #Luceafărul by #Eminescu in #Romanian! Very grateful to him for putting his voice behind the writing script. Listen here and learn more about the #Latin script: www.matuww.com/script_info/... #writingscripts #language

010

Matuww Scripts @matuww.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Here is a #portrait of a #Lydian #script user by @veliteaquila.bsky.social Learn more about the Lydian script here: matuww.com/script_info/Lydian.html #historicalart

1133