Studying Written Artefacts: Challenges and Perspectives, University of Hamburg, September 27–29, 2023

For a long time, researchers have debated when writing was invented and written artefacts first produced. They have asked whether this was a peculiarity of homo sapiens and what writing actually is, considering whether posing such a question is, in fact, methodologically possible. Most researchers can agree that the invention and use of writing has had such a profound impact on the history of humanity that its consequences continue even in the most sophisticated digital applications, even though manuscripts and writings still remain with us.

This conference will provide a unique forum for sharing experiences and views among the international community working on written artefacts, showcasing pioneering research, and developing new ideas.

UWA Conference 2023 welcomes panels and paper proposals that draw attention to emerging research topics and innovative methodological approaches from within the humanities and natural and computer sciences, on the study of creation, transmission, and archiving of written artefacts. Welcome also are contributions on single written artefacts important for their revealing features or their challenging typology and categorization, and small and large scale theoretical reflections on written artefacts. Proposals which transcend the study of particular geographical areas and apply comparative and/or global perspectives are strongly encouraged.

As for written artefacts we take the broad working definition of any artificial or natural object that have written or pictorial (visual) signs. This definition includes the traditional notion of manuscript, in all attested book forms, and inscription, and at the same time goes well beyond these broad categories.