Abnormal hieratic is the most difficult of the cursive documentary scripts used in Late Period Egypt. Its use was confined to the south of the country. In the 6th century BCE it was replaced by demotic, probably as part of a conscious reform policy by the 26th or Saite dynasty that came from the city of Sais in the north. Sais is also the most likely origin of the competing demotic script, which developed on a separate course from abnormal hieratic. At present only a handful of Egyptologists is able to read abnormal hieratic and there are even less scholars who are actively engaged in the publication of texts. There are no tools to help scholars or students, such as a dictionary, a comprehensive palaeography, etc. Also, there is no standard university course teaching abnormal hieratic, except at Leiden University. This is to be deplored, because the ancient Egyptian legal contracts written in abnormal hieratic – which differ from their demotic counterparts in many respects – represent the last stage of law practice in Egypt that can be readily traced back to its earliest Egyptian roots (which is far more difficult for demotic). That is why the decision was made to provide scholars working in this and neighbouring fields and advanced students who want to know more about this fascinating script with some essential tools, the first being an online reading book – including a concise palaeography – that may be used in class.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 11:23:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015