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Exhibit 11

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Bone and iron stili - plumes

Writing implements – stili are tiny iron or bone objects one end of which converts into a nib, the other in a triangular surface. They were used for engraving letters into wax surfaces of wooden writing plaques. They prove that writing was taught in the power and religious centres of Great Moravia both during the Byzantine mission and Methodius being the archbishop, and in the previous period connected with missionaries coming from the West.

Provenance: Uherské Hradiště-Sady, settlement near the sacral centre; Mikulčice "Valy", acropolis
Date: 9th century
Size: 6,0 - 11 cm
Storage: Moravian Museum, Brno, Archaeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences, Brno, CZ