Pseudo-altpersische Inschriften

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The present volume offers the first systematic examination of forged inscriptions in Old Persian cuneiform script, emphasizing the need for authenticity verification in a limited and formulaic text corpus. The author meticulously documents known forgeries and discusses them in detail from both philological and epigraphic perspectives. A preceding chapter highlights Achaemenid texts that are not genuinely authored by the kings attributed to them, illustrating how to prove a text's inauthenticity. Additionally, modern imitations of cuneiform inscriptions are compiled, showcasing both newly formulated texts by experts and reused authentic inscriptions. The methods employed by forgers vary significantly, and the text addresses broader issues such as detecting forgeries, adding inscriptions to previously unmarked objects, and handling artifacts not derived from controlled excavations. This exploration consistently underscores that inscriptions alone do not serve as reliable proof of an object's authenticity as an antique.