Ancient prayer book found in Irish bog
{{date|July 28, 2006}}

An [[w:early medieval|early medieval]] [[w:Christian|Christian]] [[w:Psalter|Psalter]] (prayer book) was discovered in a bog in the [[w:Midland Region|Midland Region]] of [[w:Ireland|Ireland]] on July 25, 2006, prompting some to term it the Irish version of the [[w:Dead Sea scrolls|Dead Sea Scrolls]].

The [[w:Psalter|psalter]] was found by a worker excavating [[w:peat|peat]] from the [[w:bog|bog]]. The worker immediately covered the book with damp soil, as exposure to dry air after so many centuries of dampness might have destroyed it. He was praised by Dr. Patrick Wallace, director of the [[w:National Museum of Ireland|National Museum of Ireland]], for doing that. The book was found open to the page of [[w:Psalm 83|Psalm 83]].

The Psalter is currently kept under refrigeration at the National Museum while researchers determine how to open the book without damaging the book's pages and possibly destroying it.

{{wikipediapar|Irish bog psalter|Irish bog psalter}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-ireland-ancient-book,1,3769300.story?ctrack=1&cset=true|title=Ireland Worker Finds Ancient Psalms in Bog|author=Shawn Pogatchnik|pub=Associated Press|date=July 26, 2006}}
*{{source|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0725/manuscript.html|title=Ancient manuscript discovered in the Midlands|author=|pub=RTE News|date=July 25, 2006}}

{{publish}}
{{Archive-unreviewed}}
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:Ireland]]
[[Category:Europe]]
An early medieval Christian Psalter (prayer book) was discovered in a bog in the Midland Region of Ireland on July 25, 2006, prompting some to term it the Irish version of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The psalter was found by a worker excavating peat from the bog. The worker immediately covered the book with damp soil, as exposure to dry air after so many centuries of dampness might have destroyed it. He was praised by Dr. Patrick Wallace, director of the National Museum of Ireland, for doing that. The book was found open to the page of Psalm 83.

The Psalter is currently kept under refrigeration at the National Museum while researchers determine how to open the book without damaging the book's pages and possibly destroying it.
Culture and entertainment Religion Ireland Europe