Units of the text (fragments, columns, sections) leiden

Units of the text that are separated and usually numbered independently by epigraphers—including fragments, columns, sections, chapters, independent texts on a single stone, marks, stamps, or graffiti grouped together, etc.—should be similarly divided and numbered in EpiDoc. Each division containing a separate unit of text should be wrapped in a separate ab inside a div type="textpart" (the type attribute may also name the kind of text-part being encoded in the form, e.g., div type="textpart_fragment".

These units may, of course, nest in almost any combination. If there are non-hierarchical overlaps between units (e.g. sections and columns) then one unit has to be selected as the "top level" division, and the other broken up between the larger division. These smaller, broken divisions may be connected using the n attribute or a link element.

Where unit within a single, continuous text need to be marked (for example, multiple blocks in a long relief text) the milestone element should be used instead to mark the point at which a break in the support occurs.