Summer Intensive Course, 19 - 23 August 2013: "Reading Siyaq! The Secret Script of Iranian Chanceries"

For centuries, all accounting in state chanceries and divans, as well as in many trading houses of the Middle East has been conducted through a modified system of Arabic numerals, a kind of shorthand known as siyaq. This special writing system has early on given rise to the notion of a “secret script”. Even today, only a handful of specialists are able to deal with Persian siyaq.

For anyone interested in first-hand archival sources treating questions of social and economic history, a basic knowledge of siyaq numerals and calculation methods is indispensable.

The Iranian Studies Department in the medieval historic university town of Marburg is now offering a unique opportunity to learn this script in a one-week intensive summer course for all interested persons: graduate students, researchers or academic staff. Taught by renowned specialists from Iran, this will be the first time ever for a Persian siyaq-course to be offered anywhere outside Iran.

A registration fee of 50 € covers tuition, teaching material, coffee breaks and a farewell dinner. Scholarships for bed & breakfast accommodation are available.

The deadline for application is 15 May 2013. Early submission is recommended as overall attendance is limited.

Organizers: Christoph Werner, Emad al-Din Shaikh al-Hokamaee, Anna Heller

Instructors: Emad al-Din Shaikh al-Hokamaee, Sirous Saadvandian

Kontakt

Prof. Dr. Christoph Werner
Dept. of Iranian Studies / CNMS
University of Marburg
Deutschhausstr. 12
35032 Marburg
Tel.: +49-6421-2824848
E-Mail