UID:
kobvindex_HPB1424763377
Format:
1 online resource (vi, 379 pages) :
,
illustrations (some color), maps
ISBN:
9783111360805
,
3111360806
,
9783111361185
,
3111361187
Series Statement:
Studies in manuscript cultures ; volume 37,
Content:
Written artefacts are traditionally studied because of their content. Material aspects of these artefacts enrich the study of ancient history in many ways. Eleven case studies in five sections on the ancient world, including the Near East, Egypt, the Mediterranean, China and India, demonstrate the impact of a holistic approach that considers materiality and content alike.Following an introductory sketch of relevant research, the first section, 'Methodological Considerations', critically examines the limitations the evidence available imposes on our understanding. 'Early Uses of Writing' addresses material and spatial aspects of inscriptions, and their communicative functions over the textual ones. The third section, 'Material Features', deals with clay, wooden and papyrus manuscripts and demonstrates the importance of an integrated approach. The contributions to 'Co-presence of Written Artefacts' take into account that written artefacts come in clusters. The final section, 'Cultural Encounters', presents studies on the interactions between social strata and ethnic groups, challenging previous ideas.The volume contributes to the comparative study of written artefacts in ancient history, stimulating cross-disciplinary and -cultural research.
Note:
Frontmatter --
,
Contents --
,
Introduction: Towards a Holistic Study of Written Artefacts in Ancient History --
,
Methodological Considerations --
,
Some Mesopotamian Challenges: A History Based on Tablets Unevenly Distributed in Time and Space --
,
Epigraphy, Archaeology, and our Understanding of the Mycenaean World --
,
Early Uses of Writing --
,
Material, Spatial, and Social Contexts of Early Writing: Egypt and China --
,
Aśoka and the Use of Writing in Ancient India --
,
Material Features --
,
Writing on Wood in Hittite Anatolia --
,
The Mittanian Cuneiform Documents: The Interplay between Content, Language, Material, Format, and Sealing Practices --
,
Some Turin Papyri Revisited: A Look at Material Features and Scribal Practices --
,
Co-presence of Written Artefacts --
,
Experiencing Inscriptions in Space: Extended Inscriptions of the Early New Kingdom (Qenamun -- Useramun -- Rekhmire) --
,
The Scholar in His House: Scribal Material in Context in Late Uruk Private Houses --
,
Cultural Encounters --
,
Bakhtin, Gramsci, and the Materiality of the Egyptian Hieroglyphs: When the 'Official' Culture Leaks into the 'Folk' Domain --
,
The 'He' Tribe from Serabit el Khadim and the Invention of Alphabetic Writing: Can the Subaltern ... Write? --
,
Contributors --
,
General Index
,
In English.
Additional Edition:
Print version. Ancient world revisited. Berlin ; Boston : Walter de Gruyter GmbH, [2024] ISBN 9783111359021
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1515/9783111360805
