How does epigraphy help us learn about the past?

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Epigraphy, the study of inscriptions on durable materials, serves as a crucial tool in uncovering firsthand records of ancient civilizations. It provides primary data essential for historical and philological disciplines, offering insights into the development of writing systems and the art of written communication. These inscriptions offer information about past civilizations, including religious beliefs, business transactions, social relations, political matters, and dynastic histories. Even wall scrawlings, graffiti, and casual records on potsherds reveal aspects of ordinary life.