A Change of Hand (updated)
Two Scribal Hands
Mariame and Mara
Documentary vs Cursive Greek Script under the microscope
Squared or triangular letter forms vs looped or looping letter forms
2 to 4 stroke letter forms vs 1 to 2 stroke letter forms
The Letter Mu
four strokes . . . two strokes (≠)
The letter Alpha
two strokes . . . one stroke (≠)
Note the relative widths of the double grooved cut in the upper diagonal strokes. As elsewhere, the tip of tool of the first hand is not more than 85% of the width of the second hand.
The Letter Rho
two strokes = two strokes (but different style)
The Letter Iota
one stroke = one stroke (but deeper tool)
(This is a V-shaped groove that is made by leaning the tool to the right and using one of the tines of the forked tip to cut deeply into the surface. Note the secondary groove along the edge of each incision, near the upper surface. The comparative widths of the secondary groove represents the relative lengths of the left tine of the bifurcated tip of each tool.)
The Letter Alpha (second occurrence)
two strokes . . . one stroke (≠)
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It looks as if the two inscriptions are indeed different. Is that your conclusion too? Does this imply two different inscribers and/or two different time periods? If the kai Mara was added later, is there any way to tell? e.g., Are the grooves in the first half of the inscription deeper than the 2nd? Are the tool markings the same? etc. How common is it to find inscriptions done in two different scripts? Thanks. Very interesting work.
Comment by Dr. James Gardner — July 5, 2007 @ 4:51 pm