Home / Arts and Entertainment / Lost Caedmon's Hymn Found in Rome
Lost Caedmon's Hymn Found in Rome
29 Apr
Summary
- A 1,200-year-old manuscript of Caedmon's Hymn was found in Rome.
- This early English poem was composed by a Northumbrian cattle herder.
- The discovery was made by scholars from Trinity College Dublin.
A significant discovery has been made in Rome with the uncovering of a manuscript featuring Caedmon's Hymn. This poem, considered the earliest surviving work in the English language, was composed in the seventh century by Caedmon, a Northumbrian cattle herder.
Scholars from Trinity College Dublin located the manuscript at the National Central Library of Rome. Believed to be transcribed by a monk in northern Italy between AD 800 and AD 830, this Old English version is the third oldest known text of the poem.
What makes this copy particularly notable is its presentation of the Old English text within the main body, indicating the language's rising status. Researchers also observed unique punctuation, with a full stop after every word, offering insights into early writing practices.
The discovery reinforces the historical value placed on English poetry, with this version surfacing centuries after its initial composition. The digitization efforts by libraries are credited with facilitating such new research, making historical documents accessible globally.
