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Writing as Material Practice - Substance, Surface and Medium

Fifteen case studies explore the artefactual nature of writing — the ways in which materials, techniques, color, scale, orientation and visibility inform the creation of inscribed objects and spaces, as well as structure subsequent engagement, perception and meaning making. Covering a temporal span of some 5000 years, from c.3200 BCE to the present day.

Anthropology Social Sciences

Author: Kathryn Piquette et al.
Publisher: University College London
Source: LibreTexts
License: CC BY
Language: EN
Category: English

Read online Download PDF (open licence)

Contents· 169 sections

01: Introduction - Developing an Approach to Writing as Material Practice (Kathyrn E. Piquette and Ruth D. Whitehouse)
1.01: Abstract
1.02: Scope and Impetus
1.03: Writing
1.04: Materials - Writing as Artefact
1.05: Practice - Text as Process and Outcome
1.06: Outline of the Book
1.07: Writing as Material Practice - Previous and Recent Research
1.08: Concluding Remarks
1.09: References
02: The Twisting Paths of Recall - Khipu (Andean Cord Notation) as Artifact (Frank Salomon)
2.01: Abstract
2.02: Recent Research Historical Variation in Khipu and Figures
2.03: Material Support of Meaning in the Inka Canon
2.04: Before the Inka Canon- Wrapping and knotting for the dead and the living
2.05: After the Inka Canon - The Khipu (Paper Interface and Its Modern Successors)
2.06: The Functional Implication of Recording with Fiber
2.07: Relatively Light Requirements for Tools and Special Inputs
2.08: Movable Parts
2.09: Lightness Portability
2.10: Flexibility Yielding Variable Physical State
2.11: Expandability Through Nested and Conjoinable Design
2.12: Articulation with Auxiliary Media
2.13: Inclusions and 'Semiotic Heterogeneity'
2.14: Concluding Suggestions
2.15: References
03: Writing as Material Technology - Orientation within Landscapes of the Classic Maya World (Sarah E. Jackson)
3.01: Abstract
3.02: Introduction and Figures
3.03: Orientation through Text Objects in the Classic Maya World- Three Case Studies
3.04: Material Channels of Communication
3.05: Conclusions
3.06: References
04: Writing (and Reading) as Material Practice - The World of Cuneiform Culture as an Arena for Investigation (Roger Matthews)
4.01: Abstract
4.02: Current Research into the Materiality of Ancient Near Eastern Texts and Figures
4.03: Who Wrote the Text in Question and Why
4.04: Who Was Meant to See or Read the Texts
4.05: What Was the Physical Medium and Context of the Text
4.06: How Representative are Surviving Texts of the Corpus of Their Place and Period
4.07: References
05: Re-Writing the Script - Decoding the Textual Experience in the Bronze Age Levant (c.2000-1150 BC) (Rachael Thyrza Sparks)
5.01: Abstract
5.02: Introduction and Figures
5.03: Administrative Uses of Writing
5.04: Writing and Education
5.05: Writing as Propaganda
5.06: Funerary Writing
5.07: Votive Writing
5.08: Writing as Protection
5.09: Marking Ownership
5.10: Correlations of Technique Material and Script
5.11: Concluding Remarks
5.12: Acknowledgements
5.13: References
06: The Function and Meaning of Writing in the Prehistoric Aegean - Some Reflections on the Social and Symbolic Significance of Writing from a Material Perspective (Helene Whittaker)
6.01: Abstract
6.02: Figures
6.03: Material Practices of Writing
6.04: Stone
6.05: Metal
6.06: Bone
6.07: Other Materials
6.08: Writing-Boards
6.09: Social and Symbolic Implications
6.10: Concluding Remarks
6.11: References
07: Form Follows Function- Writing and Its Supports in the Aegean Bronze Age (Sarah Finlayson)
7.01: Abstract
7.02: Introduction - From Office Blocks to Office Stationery and Figures
7.03: What is Written Where
7.04: Classifying Form
7.4.01: Classifying Form Identifying Function
7.05: Focussing in on Linear A
7.06: Discussion
7.07: Acknowledgements
7.08: References
08: Materiality of Minoan Writing- Modes of Display and Perception (Georgia Flouda)
8.01: Abstract
8.02: Introduction and Figures
8.03: Semiotic Associations and Visual Perception in Protopalatial Hieroglyphic Writing - The interface between images and text
8.04: Linear A - The social and cultural construction of Neopalatial literacy
8.05: Conclusions
8.06: Acknowledgements
8.07: Abbreviations
8.08: References
09: Saving on Clay- The Linear B Practice of Cutting Tablets (Helena Tomas)
9.01: Abstract
9.02: Introduction and Figures
9.03: A Brief Outline of Aegean Clay Tablets
9.04: The Practice of Cutting Aegean Clay Tablets
9.05: A More Detailed Discussion of Cutting Tablets in Linear B
9.06: Conclusion
9.07: Notes
9.08: References
10: Straight Crooked and Joined-Up Writing - An Early Mediterranean View (Alan Johnston)
10.01: Abstract
10.02: Background and Figures
10.03: Earlier Forays
10.04: Surfaces
10.05: The Reader
10.06: Round the Angles
10.07: Concluding Remarks
10.08: References
11: It Is Written - Making Remaking and Unmaking Early 'Writing' in the Lower Nile Valley (Kathyrn E. Piquette)
11.01: Abstract
11.02: Introduction and Figures
11.03: Social Historical Context
11.04: About the Past Constituting the Past
11.05: Signs of Production
11.06: Inscribed Labels
11.07: Inscribed Stone Vessels and Stelae
11.08: Discussion
11.09: Acknowledgements
11.10: References
12: Written Greek but Drawn Egyptian - Script Changes in a Bilingual Dream Papyrus (Stephen Kidd)
12.01: Abstract
12.02: Figures
12.03: The Papyrus
12.04: The Materiality of Writing Greek and Egyptian
12.05: Alphabetic Versus Logographic Scripts
12.06: Subjective Experience of Chinese Versus English
12.07: Conclusion
12.08: References
13: The Other Writing - Iconic Literacy and Situla Art in Pre-Roman Veneto (Italy) (Elisa Perego)
13.01: Abstract
13.02: Introduction and Figures
13.03: Background
13.04: Theory
13.05: Analysis
13.06: Conclusion
13.07: Acknowledgements
13.08: References
14: Tombstones in the North Italian Iron Age - Careless Writers or Athletic Readers (Ruth D. Whitehouse)
14.01: Abstract
14.02: Introduction and Figures
14.03: The Monuments
14.04: The Inscriptions
14.05: Discussion
14.06: References
15: Different Times Different Materials and Different Purposes - Writing on Objects at the Grand Arcade Site in Cambridge (Craig Cessford)
15.01: Abstract
15.02: Introduction and Figures
15.03: Feature Groups
15.04: The Features
15.05: Conclusion
15.06: Acknowledgements
15.07: References
16: Writing Conservation - The Impact of Text on Conversation Decisions and Practice (Elizabeth Pye)
16.01: Abstract
16.02: Introduction and Figures
16.03: Conservation as a Method of Study
16.04: Principles Governing Conservation Practice
16.05: Values Assigned to Objects
16.06: The Presence of Text and its Effect on the Perceived Values of Objects
16.07: Dilemmas in Conservation Practice - Approaches to dealing with text
16.08: Digital Conservation and Restoration
16.09: Detecting the Presence of Text
16.10: The Power and Potential of the 'Real Thing'
16.11: Conclusion
16.12: Acknowledgements
16.13: References
17: Epilogue (John Bennet)
17.01: Preface
17.02: What is writing and Figures
17.03: Before Writing
17.04: After Writing
17.05: Acknowledgements
17.06: References