Question

Describe the limitations of inscriptional evidence.

Hint:

Inscriptions are often biased towards the elite and can provide a limited perspective, so they should be supplemented with other forms of evidence for a fuller understanding of history.

Answer 1

Inscriptions are valuable sources of historical data, but they come with limitations. First, they tend to reflect the views of those in power, such as rulers, and often overlook the experiences of common people. Since they are primarily created for official or religious purposes, they may not offer a balanced or complete narrative of events. Another limitation is the scarcity of inscriptions from certain regions, leading to gaps in our understanding of those areas. Moreover, inscriptions are sometimes written in languages or scripts that are not easily understood, making interpretation difficult. Finally, many inscriptions are fragmented or damaged, which reduces their historical utility.