epigraphy
Ancient carving analysis
Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions carved, engraved, or otherwise fixed on durable materials—stone monuments, metal tablets, clay tablets, coins.
The field deciphers ancient writings to understand historical events, languages, and cultures.
An epigraphist examines how text was physically made as well as what it says: The epigraphy of the tomb revealed it predated the dynasty by two centuries.
Inscribed memorial pillar
- epitaphText honoring the deceased
- carvingShaping by cutting away
- engravingCarving into hard surfaces
- tabletFlat portable computing device
monument · tombstone · gravestone · commemorative · dedicatory · votive · funerary · memorial
Ancient plant-derived writing material
- potsherdFragment of earthenware
- sealAuthentication stamp or mark
- amuletWorn protective token
- coinStamped metal currency
sarcophagus · altar · pedestal · lintel · architrave · column · vase · amphora
Symbolic picture-based writing
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- PhoenicianAncient Lebanese seafarer
- AramaicAncient Semitic language
- GreekOf Athenian origin
Latin · Sanskrit · Etruscan · Akkadian · Sumerian · Coptic · hieratic
Cross-script phonetic spelling
- translationConverting between languages
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- paleographyStudy of ancient handwriting
- decodingExtracting meaning from symbols
Rosetta Stone · bilingual · trilingual · cryptanalysis · reading · reconstruction · parallel text · breakthrough
Ordered historical record
- annalsYear-by-year historical account
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- law codeSystematic compilation of laws
- treatyBinding pact between nations
edict · census · dedication · honorific · imperial · royal · priestly · civic
A character's visual structure
- ligatureCord for binding
- abbreviationShortened word form
- numeralSymbol denoting quantity
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
letter spacing · stroke · serif · module · alignment · layout · lacuna · damaged
Assembled written works
- editionSingle published version
- apparatusEquipment for a task
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- facsimileExact reproduction of original
transcription · publication · IG · formulaic · dating · attribution · authenticity · forgery
stele
Inscribed memorial pillar
tablet · monument · tombstone · gravestone · commemorative · dedicatory · votive · funerary · memorial · plaque
papyrus
Ancient plant-derived writing material
coin · sarcophagus · altar · pedestal · lintel · architrave · column · vase · amphora · clay tablet
hieroglyphics
Symbolic picture-based writing
- cuneiformStylus-impressed ancient script
- PhoenicianAncient Lebanese seafarer
- AramaicAncient Semitic language
Greek · Latin · Sanskrit · Etruscan · Akkadian · Sumerian · Coptic · hieratic
transliteration
Cross-script phonetic spelling
- translationConverting between languages
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- paleographyStudy of ancient handwriting
decoding · Rosetta Stone · bilingual · trilingual · cryptanalysis · reading · reconstruction · parallel text · breakthrough
chronicle
Ordered historical record
- annalsYear-by-year historical account
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- law codeSystematic compilation of laws
treaty · edict · census · dedication · honorific · imperial · royal · priestly · civic · military
letterform
A character's visual structure
- ligatureCord for binding
- abbreviationShortened word form
- numeralSymbol denoting quantity
punctuation · letter spacing · stroke · serif · module · alignment · layout · lacuna · damaged · fragmentary
corpus
Assembled written works
- editionSingle published version
- apparatusEquipment for a task
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
facsimile · transcription · publication · IG · formulaic · dating · attribution · authenticity · forgery · cataloguing
votive
Offered in devotion
temple · sanctuary · deity · offering · prayer · curse · blessing · oath · manumission · gladiatorial