How Does Epigraphy Help Historians?

The study of written records engraved on hard and durable material is known as epigraphy. Epigraphy is a primary source for historians which help them in understanding, interpreting and analyzing the recorded past. Epigraphy is considered as one of the authentic sources of the past.

What is the importance of epigraphy?

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.

What is epigraphy How are inscriptions useful to historians?

Such inscriptions provide historians and historiographers with invaluable data about rulers, the extent of their empires, major events, political conditions, religious and cultural practices etc. The study of epigraphs or old inscriptions is called epigraphy.