From Codes to Contexts: The Maturation of Historical Cryptology

ABSTRACT Over the past decades, the study of historical cryptology in Europe has evolved from a marginal, largely individual pursuit into a consolidated field of research with dedicated conferences, collaborative projects, and institutional research groups. This article offers a critical overview of this maturation, tracing how methodological innovation, digital infrastructure, and interdisciplinary cooperation have reshaped the investigation of encrypted historical sources. Particular attention is devoted to the growing shift from technical decipherment towards the social history of secrecy: the contextual analysis of who used ciphers, in what circumstances, and with which communicative and political aims. By situating contemporary research on secrecy as a social practice within these broader developments, the article highlights both current achievements and unresolved challenges. Finally, it reflects on emerging directions, including the integration of large‐scale data analysis, comparative secrecy studies, and closer dialogue with the history of science and communication.