The study of the textual sources applied to archaeology has a marked transversal nature in the structure of the ICAC. Unlike prehistoric archaeology, which focuses on analphabetic cultures, classical archaeology cannot ignore the literality –in the widest sense of the word, as opposed to orality– of its field of study throughout most of its lengthy chronology. We have a huge number of textual documents covering a vast range of records (literary and technical works, letters, official and private documents, graffiti, etc.) and material media (papyrus, stone, pottery, metals, etc.). These are an indispensable source of information when it comes to documenting and interpreting the material data of archaeological research.
Moreover, archaeological excavations are constantly adding to this textual corpus with finds of new documents that, in the first place, must be read and analysed with the help of epigraphy, palaeography and philology to be able to insert them into a wider, more significant material, historic and cultural context. All these factors make the participation of the philologist in archaeological research essential in all its action lines and at all levels of interpretation.
Consult the different associated projects:
