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Description

Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions, or epigraphs, as writing; it is the science of identifying graphemes, clarifying their meanings, classifying their uses according to dates and cultural contexts, and drawing conclusions about the writing and the writers. Specifically excluded from epigraphy are the historical significance of an epigraph as a document and the artistic value of a literary composition. A person using the methods of epigraphy is called an epigrapher or epigraphist. For example, the Behistun inscription is an official document of the Achaemenid Empire engraved on native rock at a location in Iran. Epigraphists are responsible for reconstructing, translating, and dating the trilingual inscription and finding any relevant circumstances. It is the work of historians, however, to determine and interpret the events recorded by the inscription as document. Often, epigraphy and history are competences practised by the same person. Epigraphy is a primary tool of archaeology when dealing with literate cultures. The US Library of Congress classifies epigraphy as one of the auxiliary sciences of history. Epigraphy also helps identify a forgery: epigraphic evidence formed part of the discussion concerning the James Ossuary.

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Organizations relating to Epigraphy

International Society for Arabic Papyrology / Munich, Germany / Est. 2002
Centre international de recherches glyptographiques / Braine-le-Château, Belgium / Est. 1981
International Committee of Papyrology / Est. 1930
International Machaut Society / Oberlin OH, USA / Est. 1985
Association internationale de papyrologues / Brussels, Belgium / Est. 1947
Association paléographique internationale - culture, écriture, société / Aubervilliers, France / Est. 1993
International Association for Greek and Latin Epigraphy / Saragossa, Spain / Est. 1972
Comité international de paléographie latine / Jyväskylä, Finland / Est. 1953

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