墓誌,是一種將死者的姓名、身分,以及紀念死者文字銘刻在石材或磚材的墓葬銘刻。墓誌在古人的概念中有兩種意涵,一是指文字,二是指承載文字的「物」,換句話說,也就是墓誌的「書寫內容」與「外在形制」,本論文的研究對象即是一世紀至六世紀間墓誌的書寫內容與外在形制。在研究動機方面,本論文試圖從一個較全面的視角來檢視墓誌的發展過程,跳脫僅利用墓誌「證成」傳世文獻的方法論困境,突顯出墓誌除文字外的研究價值。

An epitaph is a tomb inscription on which is carved the name, identification and memorial writing for the deceased. There were two meanings of epitaphs in early China: one was the words carved on the stone or brick, the other the physical object itself. This essay focuses on these two meanings between the 1st century and 6th century. This essay attempts to observe the origin and development of epitaphs in early China from a wider perspective. In the past, scholars only used the texts of epitaph inscriptions as historical evidence; however, they neglected the substantial messages of epitaph itself.

墓誌起源；墓誌發展；原境研究；金石學

the origin of epitaphs; the development of epitaphs; contextual study; epigraphy