Page 13 - Manual of Roman Everyday Writing Volume 2: Writing Equipment

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As a result of such studies, the importance of writing implements
for our knowledge of Roman literacy and writing culture is
increasingly recognised and archaeological evidence has begun to
be incorporated in studies of ancient literacy. An aspect that was
picked up by scholars with particular enthusiasm is the potential
that finds of writing equipment have as a proxy for the presence of
literacy (e.g. Derks and Roymans 2002; Hanson and Conolly 2002).
Statistical analysis of find numbers is always skewed by the biases
of archaeological research and publication and it is problematic to
use find numbers without the relevant data on factors such as the
extent of excavations, which is rarely available. Nevertheless, the
study of writing equipment is promising, and can even be used as a
proxy for Latinization, particularly for areas without local non-Latin
epigraphies. The way forward is careful contextualisation of finds
and the consideration of social contexts, such as the development
of settlement or mobility (see Mullen 2021b, drawing on the work
of the Rural Settlement in Roman Britain project).
Another approach emerging in recent research highlights the
materiality of writing. Avoiding problematic quantification, this
approach focuses on such aspects as design, material, size, portability
or availability of writing instruments (Swift 2017; Eckardt 2018). It
explores the impact of these aspects on how, what and where people Fig. 3: Writing equipment found in a grave (tumulus 26) in Berlingen
wrote in the Roman empire and has achieved a more nuanced and (Belgium), around 80 CE. Gallo-Roman Museum Tongeren, inv.
balanced understanding of Roman writing culture and the people 69.B.26 10,37a–b and 38a–d. © Gallo-Roman Museum Tongeren.
involved in it.
In order to provide the readers of this manual with the means to
consider the material aspects of Roman handwriting, this second
volume introduces instruments used for handwriting cursive and
capital letters by incising and scratching or with ink, as well as
relevant accessories and surfaces commonly written on. In each case
important finds, as well as research publications, will be included
to provide an entry-point for more in-depth study of the topic.
Sections on the social aspects of writing, on writing techniques
and on the evidence that we can use to research such topics will
provide a context for the items discussed in the catalogue.