Italian writer Michele Sanvico discovers the author of a sixteenth-century map of Mount Sibyl

ROMA, Italy - April 23, 2017 - PRLog -- Following Sanvico's previous research success which established an unprecedented link between the map and the ancient enigma of the "Stone of Bologna", now the Italian novelist and expert in the Apennine Sibyl's legend and lore is proud to make known publicly the name of the person who, in 1566, sketched in his collector's book of ancient Latin inscriptions the diagram of the Sibillini Range area, including the locations of the Sibyl's legend.

The previously unknown draftsman is Baldo Angelo Abbati from Gubbio (Italy), an illustrious physician and naturalist who lived in the sixteenth century.

The astounding finding is the outcome of a thorough analysis carried out by Michele Sanvico on the Vatican codex registered under the code "Vat Lat 5241", including nearly eight hundred manuscripted pages, and featuring the mentioned map of the Sibillini area and a unique version of the inscription from the so-called "Stone of Bologna".

«I really had the chance to conduct a thrilling search as if I were in an Indiana Jones' movie», said Michele Sanvico, «when you browse through the pages of ancient manuscripts you never know what you may stumble upon». The identity of the owner of the codex had been enshrouded in mystery ever since the discovery of the manuscript collection, in mid 1980s; and yet, according to Sanvico, the key to the riddle was hidden within the very pages of the codex.

«I went through hundreds of pages of manuscripted Latin inscriptions», added Mr. Sanvico, «I perused with careful attention every single mark left on the paper by that unknown hand... and finally I got it!». The answer was contained in pages 260v-261r, in which a handwritten letter stood out among the endless series of inscriptions. «It was an ancient letter written in Italian, possibly dated 11th February 1569, addressed to some illustrious person. And it was signed: 'Deditissimo [most faithful] Baldo Agnolo Abbati da Ugobbio'» (see figure). No doubt: the handwriting which is visible in the map of Mount Sibyl was exactly the same.

This outstanding finding opens a new promising research line that needs further study. Bagno Agnolo Abbati is known for being the author of an important antique book on venomous snakes, 'De admirabili viperae natura et de mirificis ejusdem facultatibus liber', first published in 1589 in Urbino (Italy) and other scholarly works dedicated to classical authors. His interest in the Apennine Sibyl's topic will require a specific investigation, both literary and historical.

«As the author of  'The Eleventh Sibyl', a novel on the Sibyl of the Apennines and her mystery, I am very happy to have succeeded in providing further contributions and an additional insight into this exciting enigma», said Michele Sanvico, «now I hope that professional researchers may go ahead into the new track I have opened».

For more information, visit Michele Sanvico's website dedicated to the mystery of Mount Sibyl (http://www.italianwriter.it/TheApennineSibyl/TheApennineS...) and the page specifically reporting on this exticing new finding (http://www.italianwriter.it/TheApennineSibyl/TheApennineS...).