Medieval German Inscriptions

The mission of the Research Unit is to produce a complete commented edition of the Latin and German inscriptions from the Middle Ages and the early modern age (up to 1650) in Baden-Württemberg. The undertaking is part of a joint project conducted by the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities and their Austrian counterpart and dates back to 1933. After the interruption of work caused by the Second World War it was resumed with new élan in the 1960s. Nineteen of the 95 volumes published so far under the collective title “Die Deutschen Inschriften” (DI) have appeared in the Heidelberg series, two others are in the preparation stage. Each of these volumes encompasses the inscriptions in one or more urban or regional districts of Baden-Württemberg that have come down to us either in their original form or as copies. In view of the fact that many inscribed surfaces are exposed to harmful environmental influences, a systematic inventory and onsite photographic documentation are an urgent necessity. This undertaking contributes to the conservation of our cultural heritage and should ideally extend to those regions not immediately scheduled for scholarly attention at the moment. The basic research engaged in by the Unit is of relevance for a variety of disciplines, including history, philology, art history and ethnology. Especially noteworthy is the palaeographic component, which makes an important contribution to the history of script and writing in general.

^{Epitaph of Johannes Gessel von Augsburg († 1497) in the collegiate church of Baden-Baden.}

Further Information about the Project: www.inschriften.net.

Chair of the Commission

Prof. Dr. Steffen Patzold

Head of the Research Unit

Dr. Harald Drös (e-mail: harald.droes@adw.uni-heidelberg.de)

Team

Dr. Ilas Bartusch (e-mail: ilas.bartusch@adw.uni-heidelberg.de)
Sara Brück M.A. (e-mail: sara.brueck@adw.uni-heidelberg.de)
Britta Hedtke M.A. (e-mail: britta.hedtke@adw.uni-heidelberg.de)
Elke Schneider (photographer)

Address

Karlstraße 4
D-69117 Heidelberg

phone: +49 62 21/54-35 74 oder -32 69
fax:  62 21/54-33 69