Last updated: September 23rd, 2025 at 3:19 pm · Est. Reading Time: < 1 minute
Relating to Inscriptions and the Study of Ancient Writing
Definition
The term epigraphic refers to anything related to epigraphy, the study, analysis, and interpretation of inscriptions—especially those carved, engraved, or written on durable materials such as stone, metal, clay, or wood. Epigraphic material is a major source of historical evidence, particularly for ancient and premodern civilizations that left limited narrative texts. 1
Epigraphic Sources
Epigraphic records take many forms. Monumental inscriptions appear on temples, tombs, and public buildings, while stelae and votive dedications preserve religious or commemorative messages. Boundary stones and milestones serve to mark territorial limits and travel routes, while legal texts, treaties, and royal proclamations record political and administrative authority. Religious texts and even casual graffiti also belong to the epigraphic corpus. Together, these inscriptions help reconstruct political history, religion, law, language, and social customs of ancient societies. 2
Epigraphic Arabia
In the context of Arabia, epigraphic studies involve deciphering scripts such as Musnad, Safaitic, Thamudic, Dadanitic, and Nabataean. These inscriptions provide key insights into pre-Islamic religion, tribal organization, kingship, and the development of Arabic. 3
Further Reading
https://historyofislam.org/sources-of-advent-of-islam
End Notes
- David Diringer, The Alphabet: A Key to the History of Mankind, 3rd ed. (London: Hutchinson, 1968), pp. 25–32.
- John Bodel, Epigraphic Evidence: Ancient History from Inscriptions (London: Routledge, 2001), pp. 1–12.
- Ahmad Al-Jallad, The Religion and Rituals of the Nomads of Pre-Islamic Arabia (Leiden: Brill, 2022).