The purpose of this section is to introduce you to the skills and techniques used by an archaeologist. Every week we encounter new challenges, problems and exciting evidence that requires a number of skills to interpret these new discoveries. Last week, you learned about ceramics, the importance of a nearly indestructible kind of evidence called pottery. This week, we would like to talk with you about epigraphy.
Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions or words and text that often survive on stone.
Epigraphy would also include the study of graffiti and written texts on pottery and even text found on coins and other artificts. My own interests in archaeology began as a young child. I use to love going through cemeteries and reading old tombstones. The people seemed to be calling out from the grave asking me to stop and remember them. It reminded me of my own mortality.