Exploring Writing Systems and Practices in the Bronze Age Aegean

Writing is a practice that involves encoding ideas into symbols and is practised by people who have learnt its principles and acquired the tools and skills. It has tangible and visible consequences for writers and those encountering what has been produced, with potential for wider social visibility and affecting the success and longevity of the writing system. CREWS is a project funded by the European Research Council to bring together different perspectives on writing, focusing on the concepts of script adoption and adaptation, logographic writing, and the vitality of writing traditions.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Writing extends far beyond the mere transcription of an idea into a sequence of symbols. It is a skill honed by individuals who have grasped its fundamental principles and acquired the necessary tools and techniques to execute it effectively within specific contexts that shape their actions and approaches. These practices are dynamic and adaptable, as practitioners seize opportunities to refine and innovate old features while introducing new ones. The act of writing yields tangible and observable outcomes, impacting both the writers themselves and those who encounter the written material, regardless of their ability to comprehend its content. This impact can extend to a broader social realm, potentially amplifying the visibility of the writing system and influencing its success and longevity.

In this book, we delve into the intricate world of writing, particularly focusing on the syllabic systems prevalent during the Bronze Age Aegean. Our goal is to foster a groundbreaking interdisciplinary perspective by bringing together diverse viewpoints. We explore the multifaceted aspects of writing, ranging from structuralist interpretations that view writing as systems of signs with their linguistic significance to archaeological and anthropological approaches that perceive writing as a socially embedded practice.

The central chapters of this book revolve around key concepts such as script adoption and adaptation, diverse methods of logographic writing, and the enduring vitality of writing traditions. These chapters shed light on the processes by which writing systems evolve and adapt over time, shaping the development of human civilization. Moreover, they have profound implications for our modern world, prompting us to reevaluate our understanding of the written word and its role in shaping our collective history and culture.

Contexts of and Relations between Early Writing Systems (CREWS) is a project supported by the European Research Council through the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No. 677758). It is headquartered at the Faculty of Classics, University of Cambridge, where a vibrant community of scholars and researchers is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the written word and its historical significance.

Weight: 630g
Dimension: 175 x 247 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259018