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What is a palimpsest and how do historians read erased texts?

 title: 'Palimpsest - Wikipedia'

A palimpsest is a manuscript from which the original text has been erased or scraped off to create space for new writing, reflecting a practice born out of the scarcity and cost of materials like parchment in ancient times[1]. This layered document offers glimpses into the past, preserving valuable historical voices. Modern techniques, such as multispectral imaging and ultraviolet light, allow historians to read erased texts, bringing lost voices back to light[5].

Recovered texts hold immense significance, as they can reshape narratives by highlighting previously overlooked perspectives[5]. Yet, uncertainties remain about the completeness and accuracy of these rediscovered voices, reminding us that history is often a complex tapestry of known and unknown influences[5].


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