The Identification of Scribal Hands on the basis of an Old Assyrian Archive

Abstract

In the present thesis, a method is developed to identify cuneiform handwriting, and to ascertain the identity of the writer. It is based on modern forensic handwriting analysis, and combines statistical and individual approaches. The comparison focuses mainly on discriminating elements of script and character shape. Adapted to cuneiform, especially the number and position of the individual elements of the cuneiform signs, i.e. the wedges, are decisive. The method is established on the basis of Old Assyrian letters. The main case study includes the corpora of three family members of an archive excavated in 1993. From the observations, it can be concluded that most of the texts in the three corpora were written by one writer each. This answer results on the great similarity of used sign variations, tablet shape, typeface, and use of signs on the analysed material. The case studies also show that the identity of the writer can be ascertained by means of palaeographical observations, but the analysed material needs to be as various as possible (e.g. different text genres, letters sent from different places, letters authored by one person vs. several individuals) so that the observations of the handwriting comparison can be combined with further information. Furthermore, the palaeographic study sheds light into the educational practises of the Old Assyrian period. The comparison of the handwriting of three families shows that children did not necessarily learn from their parents as it was assumed. Instead, in two out of three cases, siblings share similar traits, while their fathers’ writing displays different habits. However, on the other hand, common characteristics can also be noted on the documents of all generations of one family. These findings indicate nevertheless a certain family tradition. And consequently, the children were possibly not taught by their father, but another family member with the same educational background.