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One way historians date documents is through a method called palaeography which studies scribal habits etc. and through the analysis of distinctive writing materials, and handwriting style allows palaeographers to date letters to within centuries and decades.
It is similar to somebody 5000 years from now looking back and being able to see the transition from handwriting to typing in our documents. As well they could see the development of the use of acronyms (i.e. lol) for instant message or text message users, and based on other known dates, such as the invention of the computer, and work the approximate dates of letters and documents out from there. Of course this may be unnecessary in the future, but you get the point.
Documents can be given very broad dates by the places they are found, such as important buildings, or cities, and based on their attestation in other documents which have clear dates. Overall its not exact, and we have to give +/- room, but we can get very close to the date of composition, mainly through these methods.
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Historians of ancient Africa?
Griots
Why would there have been ancient bilingual documents and markers?
why would there have been ancient bilingual documents and markers?
What do modern day historians often cite as the best four ancient historians?
Many modern day historians cite the following ancient historians as the most informative and accurate:1. Tacitus; 2. Herodotus; 3. Polybius; and 4. Thucydides.
What is the handing on of the ancient documents of the faith?
presentations not reconciliation
Which individuals would historians most likely learn about artifacts from ancient cultures?
Archaeologist
When did ancient Egypt finish?
Aproximately 300 or 200 BC - there was no definite date, it's just how historians regard it.
What do many historians say was the first great ancient empire?
Many historians cite the first Egyptian empire as the first great ancient empire. Some of them use the date of 3100 BC BCE and cite King Narmer as the first leader of it. From my understanding other historians believe there is a doubt about this and offer other ancient empires as being the first.
When was the wheeled cart invented?
There is no exact date associated with the invention of the wheeled cart. However, historians say it was invented in ancient China.
When did the ancient Athenians overthrow their monarchy?
Historians cite the date of 950 BC as the time when Athenians overthrew their ruling monarchy.
Historians of ancient Africa?
Griots
Why would there have been ancient bilingual documents and markers?
why would there have been ancient bilingual documents and markers?
What did the Spartans do during the Persian war that caused historians to feel that there is nothing left from ancient Sparta?
Historians do not feel that there is nothing left from ancient Sparta.
How did Historians get their information from the founding of the Byzantine Empire 330AD?
They get the information from the writings of ancient Roman historians.
What year was mancala made?
The game of mancala is ancient, and there is no definite date where it was created.. Historians estimate that the game originated back between 6th and 7th century AD.
Did Hannibal marry?
Probably, one. His first wife is Spanish Princess.
Ancient historians that wrote on the punic wars?
The two most impartant ancient historians who wrote about the Second Punic War were Polybius (a Greek) and Livy (a Roman).
What do modern day historians often cite as the best four ancient historians?
Many modern day historians cite the following ancient historians as the most informative and accurate:1. Tacitus; 2. Herodotus; 3. Polybius; and 4. Thucydides.
