Abstract
This article surveys the history of palaeographical dating of papyri, reflecting on its origins as a system, and what lessons this might have for contemporary practice. In examining the beginnings of palaeography as a discipline in the late seventeenth century with the work of scholars such as Jean Mabillon, it highlights the concerns of that period, especially the authenticity of documents. In this context, palaeographical dating was only one (though of course an important component) of a range of tools scholars used to date and authenticate texts. In the same way, contemporary scholars use an array of methods to date the texts they study, including script, language, content, and the physical properties of the ink and its support. This article highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of each of these methods, whether caused by their subjective nature or the current limits of scientific knowledge, and emphasizes one of the key lessons of Mabillon’s practice, the broad familiarity with many types of script and manuscript which allow these to be properly contextualized and understood.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 58-83 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | Journal for the Study of the New Testament |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 1 Jul 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sep 2019 |
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Keywords
- authenticity
- dating
- Jean Mabillon
- palaeography
- papyri
- Pierre Hamon
Cite this
}
Dating papyri : familiarity, instinct and guesswork. / Choat, Malcolm.
In: Journal for the Study of the New Testament, Vol. 42, No. 1, 01.09.2019, p. 58-83.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Dating papyri
T2 - Journal for the Study of the New Testament
AU - Choat, Malcolm
PY - 2019/9/1
Y1 - 2019/9/1
N2 - This article surveys the history of palaeographical dating of papyri, reflecting on its origins as a system, and what lessons this might have for contemporary practice. In examining the beginnings of palaeography as a discipline in the late seventeenth century with the work of scholars such as Jean Mabillon, it highlights the concerns of that period, especially the authenticity of documents. In this context, palaeographical dating was only one (though of course an important component) of a range of tools scholars used to date and authenticate texts. In the same way, contemporary scholars use an array of methods to date the texts they study, including script, language, content, and the physical properties of the ink and its support. This article highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of each of these methods, whether caused by their subjective nature or the current limits of scientific knowledge, and emphasizes one of the key lessons of Mabillon’s practice, the broad familiarity with many types of script and manuscript which allow these to be properly contextualized and understood.
AB - This article surveys the history of palaeographical dating of papyri, reflecting on its origins as a system, and what lessons this might have for contemporary practice. In examining the beginnings of palaeography as a discipline in the late seventeenth century with the work of scholars such as Jean Mabillon, it highlights the concerns of that period, especially the authenticity of documents. In this context, palaeographical dating was only one (though of course an important component) of a range of tools scholars used to date and authenticate texts. In the same way, contemporary scholars use an array of methods to date the texts they study, including script, language, content, and the physical properties of the ink and its support. This article highlights the importance of understanding the limitations of each of these methods, whether caused by their subjective nature or the current limits of scientific knowledge, and emphasizes one of the key lessons of Mabillon’s practice, the broad familiarity with many types of script and manuscript which allow these to be properly contextualized and understood.
KW - authenticity
KW - dating
KW - Jean Mabillon
KW - palaeography
KW - papyri
KW - Pierre Hamon
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85068623262&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0142064X19855580
DO - 10.1177/0142064X19855580
M3 - Article
VL - 42
SP - 58
EP - 83
JO - Journal for the Study of the New Testament
JF - Journal for the Study of the New Testament
SN - 0142-064X
IS - 1
ER -