ABSTRACT
Papyrology and epigraphy are concerned with the written artifacts of the ancient world as they are preserved on their original materials. Papyrology refers to ephemeral writing on a variety of surfaces, including papyrus, animal skins, stones, bone, pieces of broken pottery, and the like, and are often referred to in terms of documentary and literary papyri. Epigraphy comprises writing that was designed to be durable and lasting, and hence the writing was done on such substances as stone, clay (fired or not), glass, and metal. These are not hard and fast categories, since, for example, some manuscripts on skins or clay tablets were designed to be preserved, but they offer some insight into the original purpose for which the ancient artifact was created (see Bagnall 1995). The importance of papyrology and epigraphy for biblical criticism and interpretation is found in their contribution to establishing and deciphering the historical and textual basis for the biblical documents and their surrounding world (see Bodel 2001). The significance of papyri and inscriptions for study of the ancient world has, unfortunately, led to what many believe are the creation of a number of forged documents.
