Il testo, il supporto e la funzione. Alcune osservazioni sul caso dell’Etiopia

These few observations, presented at the conference “Il testo, il supporto e la funzione. Le metodologie orientalistiche e quelle tradizionali d'Occidente” (Cortona - Viterbo, 13-15 November, 2003), propose some very generaI reflections on palaeography in Ethiopian studies extensively meant, as an example of the dialogue between the methods of the Occidental and OrientaI disciplines. The remarks intend to highlight the problematic relationship which Ethiopian studies – an empty frame, if not specified in their methods and aims – maintain with other disciplines, which on the contrary are essentially methodology-based.