However, this linguistic diversity represents an obstacle when looking at the diffusion of Indic scripts in Southeast Asia. Native speakers are increasingly conducting research of materials written in their own scripts. Although these researchers are undoubtedly producing detailed studies of the scripts, they tend to focus exclusively on their own languages and scripts. Accordingly, this research often lacks the more global perspective possible when neighboring scripts are considered. Moreover, research into scripts for non-official language is marginalized or neglected.

Another problem is that much of the debate over relations between scripts has focused primarily on similarities and differences in glyph forms (particularly, for consonants). A feature of Indic scripts, not found in other writing systems, is the clear structure in terms of functionality and configuration. If we are to describe the development of Indic scripts, it is essential to consider this structural perspective.

This project is conducting basic research to provide a comprehensive understanding of the origins and development of Indic scripts in Southeast Asia. Specifically, the project is creating a database for these scripts concerning the diachronic changes to glyph forms, as well as the structural and ordering variations that are found among different writing systems by collecting electronic images of written materials (such as inscriptions and manuscripts) that exist in Southeast Asia. Through the collaboration of researchers working in both Southeast Asia (Sawada, Minegishi, Shiohara, and Okano) and in South Asia (Machida and Takashima) it will be possible to clarify the position of these scripts within the overall family of Indic scripts, and to acquire new insights into the diffusion and the development of scripts from South to Southeast Asia.

The project is also contributing to the accumulation of textual information necessary for the handling and digitization of written materials. Particularly pressing is the need to record written materials that are subject to weathering. Written materials already deteriorating in this way include the glazed terracotta plaques of Jataka tales decorating the Mingala-zedi in Bagan and the Cham script inscriptions at the My Son archaeological site in central Vietnam. There is great danger that the original forms of these will be lost due to this kind of erosion and inappropriate attempts at renovation. It is certainly no small matter to record such materials in their present state using image processing technology, which has developed rapidly in recent years.

• Stone inscriptions of the Bagan period
• Terracotta tablets of the Bagan period (The West and East Hpetleik temples in Bagan)
• Stone inscriptions of the Inwa period
• Ink-inscriptions