Archaeology and Epigraphy - Indian Laws - General

Archaeology and Epigraphy Webster American Dictionary : Archaeology is the study of human history and pre- history through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. Oxford Dictionary : It is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and analysis of physical remains. Webster American Dictionary : Epigraphy is the study and interpretation of ancient inscription; epigraphs collectively. It is an inscription on a building, statue or coin; a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme. In Advanced Law Lexicon , 3rd Edn., The term Archaeology has been defined to mean : A systematic description or study of antiquities , Whereas the term Epigraph has been defined to mean An old inscription of a durable material . In The New Encyclopaedia of Britannica in The Study of History , Archaeology and Epigraphy have been discussed separately; both the subjects although have been put under a common heading, namely, Ancillary Fields . They have been dealt with separately. Epigraphy has been stated to be the study of written matter recorded on hard or durable materials and is the prime tool in recovering much of the firsthand record of antiquity. It is interesting to note therein that Archaeology and Epigraphy have been distinguished, stating : Strictly speaking, archaeology is not concerned with the analysis and interpretation of the bones of ancient man himself whether fossilized or not. The study of the skulls and skeletons of ancient man is the concern of the physical anthropologist or human paleontologist. Neither is the archaeologist normally prepared to decipher or interpret the writings of ancient man this is the specialty of the epigraphist and philologist. Epigraphy is a study of inscription is not denied or disputed. There are persons who have expertise in different parts of Epigraphy. Persons may acquire expertise in the study of inscription in different languages. SANJAY KUMAR MANJUL VERSUS THE CHAIRMAN, UPSC AND ORS. - 2006 (9) TMI 553 - SUPREME COURT