Recovery and loss: archaeological perspectives on papyri from Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine Egypt

This article offers some approaches to understanding the material identity of papyri. It also raises awareness of the rather problematic relationship between the disciplines of papyrology and archaeology. Although these two disciplines are inextricably linked, they have for the most part developed along separate paths. Why has this been the case and how has it affected the ways in which papyri are used and interpreted by scholars? These questions will be addressed through the fundamental concepts of objectification and context. The ultimate goal is to build a critical framework for interpreting papyri that breaks down the artificial distinction between text and object. As part of this effort, an historical perspective will be sought by looking at some of the earliest controlled excavations of papyri and how the emerging discipline of papyrology was shaped by late 19th century colonialism and classicism.