Recently, our postdoctoral researcher, Eline Scheerlinck, dedicated a week to research at the library of the Papyrological Institute at Leiden University in the Netherlands. One of the primary objectives of the Caliphal Finances project is to examine all fiscal documents from the Abbasid period that have been previously edited by scholars, encompassing texts in Arabic, Greek, and Coptic. These papyrological editions are frequently published in highly specialised book series and journals, which are not always accessible, even in well-endowed university libraries such as the University of Edinburgh, where our project is based.
The Papyrological Institute at Leiden University possesses an extensive collection of papyrological publications, with a particular emphasis on Greek papyri. Eline’s visit focused gathering and checking editions of published Greek and Coptic Abbasid fiscal documents, which are integral to our research. We look forward to sharing further insights into these compelling sources as our study, which also includes the Arabic papyri, progresses.
The library of the Papyrological Institute at Leiden University Library
Banner image credit: Eline Scheerlinck. “Working stacks” of books at the Papyrological Institute’s library.
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