Redate

Redate is the act of assigning a different date to a document, inscription, artifact, or event from the one originally recorded. It can refer to changing the date written on an object itself or to updating the date in archival or bibliographic records to reflect a revised determination.

In scholarly and archival contexts, redating occurs when new evidence or methods yield a more accurate chronology. In manuscript studies and paleography, researchers redate items by analyzing handwriting, ink composition, paper or parchment features, watermarks, and contextual clues such as references to other dated events. In archaeology, redating may result from the re-evaluation of typology, stratigraphy, or associated finds, sometimes supported by scientific dating methods.

Methodologically, redating is typically documented with a clear statement of the rationale and the evidence supporting the revised date. The original dating may be retained in provenance records to preserve historical context. When calendar reforms apply, such as adjustments made during the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, dates may be realigned accordingly.

In libraries, archives, and scholarly publishing, redating is reflected in catalog entries and digital metadata, with editors or curators noting the justification for the revision. Ethical considerations include avoiding fraudulent alteration of dates; redating is generally subject to provenance documentation, peer review, and transparent justification.

See also: dating, calendar reform, paleography, radiocarbon dating, provenance.