Ricerc@Sapienza

The main aim of the project is the definition of a technical and graphological approach to ancient epigraphy and palaeography. The epigraphic cross-sections chosen are a group of Linear A and Linear B tablets from Crete dating back to the Late Bronze Age. The proposal arises from the awareness of a lack of a shared scientific palaeographical approach to this kind of documents that also considers the modern acquisition methods, like RTI and 3D, and more articulated systemic methodological approach as calligraphic expertise and forensic graphotechnics.

So, while the development of digital and computational survey methodologies is providing new effective and stimulating instruments in palaeography, the result is often compromised by the nature of the epi-palaeographical data provided, which often are the outcome of an imprecise and, speaking in palaeographical terms, unverifiable investigation, because they are not carried out according to a precise and shared graphical approach.

To face this problem, we proceed as follows: 1) acquisition of documents by RTI and HDR digital techniques; 2) definition of a protocol to produce apographs; 3) the definition of a palaeographic approach procedure that makes use of the study techniques proper of the graphological and graphotechnical investigation.