TOWARD AN AMAZONIAN PALEOGRAPHY
GRAPHIC FEATURES OF NINETEENTH-CENTURY WRITING IN PARÁ
Keywords:
manuscript, primary sources, information recovery, Amazon Memory Center, paleographyAbstract
Paleography is essential for the reading, interpretation, and preservation of handwritten documents, contributing to the retrieval of information from documentary collections. This study aims to analyze the graphic aspects of handwriting found in marriage records produced in Belém in the late 19th century, demonstrating their influence on the recovery of handwritten information. This is an applied research study with a qualitative approach and exploratory nature, conducted through documentary and paleographic analysis of Registry Book No. 2 from the Bernardino do Espírito Santo de Araújo Notary Office, produced in 1894, held by the Amazon Memory Center. The graphic elements of the handwriting of four scribes were examined, considering aspects such as morphology, angle, module, ductus, weight, ligatures, and nexus. The results revealed significant differences among the handwriting samples analyzed, reflecting varying levels of legibility and access to the recorded information. It is concluded that paleographic analysis constitutes an important tool for the interpretation, preservation, and recovery of information contained in primary manuscript documents, contributing to the appreciation of the documentary heritage of Pará.