Topic awaiting preservation: Papyrus Documents Decoded (Page 1 of 1)

Thought some of you might find this interesting, looks to be a huge discovery.

Eureka! Extraordinary discovery unlocks secrets of the ancients

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Thousands of previously illegible manuscripts containing work by some of the greats of classical literature are being read for the first time using technology which experts believe will unlock the secrets of the ancient world.

Among treasures already discovered by a team from Oxford University are previously unseen writings by classical giants including Sophocles, Euripides and Hesiod. Invisible under ordinary light, the faded ink comes clearly into view when placed under infra-red light, using techniques developed from satellite imaging.

The Oxford documents form part of the great papyrus hoard salvaged from an ancient rubbish dump in the Graeco-Egyptian town of Oxyrhynchus more than a century ago. The thousands of remaining documents, which will be analysed over the next decade, are expected to include works by Ovid and Aeschylus, plus a series of Christian gospels which have been lost for up to 2,000 years.

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Another article: Decoded at last: the 'classical holy grail' that may rewrite the history of the world

I am cautiously excited. The involvement of Brigham Young personell is a bit worrisome though.

When the catholics got hold of the so-called "Dead Sea Scrolls" they kept them from being translated for about 30 years. No doubt out of fear they might reveal the fallacies of their faith.

So far, it appears they had little to fear.

The BY group might well either "embellish" something which might be seen as enhancing their particular views or destroy something which might contradict them.

"Oops" Sorry about that chief.

Could this be part of the lost library of Alexandria? You know, scrolls folks borrowed and who's families threw out lest they get charged 2000 years late fees?

"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher." -- Lucretius, Roman Poet (94 - 55 BCE)

"Cautiously excited" describes my reaction as well. Of course, I am particularly interested in the Christian gospels mentioned in this discovery.

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Um, Bug...without having referred back to the article...I believe it was a 'suggestion' there "MIGHT" be some of those, thus my caveat about having the BY boys involved...something about which even your version of the myth might have reservations.

Frankly, if they find some old recipes for different ways of making certain foods, I would be far more interested than some old plays or myths.

I have a copy of an old recipe for Garum. Most would not likely find it appetizing, but if you like asian or philipino fish sauce, that is essentially what it is.

"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher." -- Lucretius, Roman Poet (94 - 55 BCE)

I am quite familiar with filipino cuisine seeing as I married into a rather large Filipino family I have consumed quite a bit of fish sauce in my day, but I don't eat animals anymore so it's been a few years since.

Yes, I saw the reference to the gospels in the article and that is why I mentioned them. I don't assume that people are automatically going to lie about data, Ehtheist. Anyone, regardless of personal positions, can be objective. I don't know anything about the credentials of the BY people you mention, so I will withhold judgement on them. They may very well be perfectly fine scholars. Do you have any evidence to show they would not be objective?

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MMM, Philipino food! I wish I had a dollar for every lumpia I have made...and consumed.

I am just naturally suspicious of the religious investigating religious matters.

For that matter, I am suspicious of anyone with a vested interest investigating anything which might cast doubts on their interest.

As for evidence, I thought the action of the catholics with the dead sea scrolls was certainly grounds for being cautious.

I have not been able to get back to the Qumran Chronicles as I term them. Very boring reading and nothing much to do with early xianity except to show zealots have changed not a bit since then.

"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher." -- Lucretius, Roman Poet (94 - 55 BCE)

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Ehtheist said:

thus my caveat about having the BY boys involved

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unfortunately it's too late.
they apparently found an autographed picture.

"To Sophy and family - Love God"

this pic of The Lord predates modern photography by several hundred years.
It will proudly be displayed at BYU.

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. ROTFLMAO

"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher." -- Lucretius, Roman Poet (94 - 55 BCE)

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Ehtheist said:

be far more interested than some old plays or myths.

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Woah, slow down there. Plays and myths are central to the culture of the time period they are written in. Sometimes they reveal more about the people than historical documents do.

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Ehtheist said:

For that matter, I am suspicious of anyone with a vested interest
investigating
anything which might cast doubts on their interest.

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Like me investigating the big bang and the string theory?

"You must unlearn what you have learned."
~Yoda

no, like people who have the opportunity to alter the 'evidence' before it reaches the greater sholarly community and the public, and who have an agenda to push.

Especially when the evidence in question is irreplacable

Doesn't that happen all the time?

If they do get some gospels out of it that would be great and I would be highly interested in anything they revealed, even if it were to rewrite my faith.

I think the concern about Brigham Young is unimportant and overblown though since they are not doing the translation, just providing the imaging technology. I'd worry about the Catholic church or other organizations with a vested interest in keeping the status quo more than anyone else.

Ramasax

Agreed Rama, in fact any and all of the xian and muslim churches should be kept away with armed guards if necessary. Might even be reason to be cautions about other faiths. Some of the aetheist websites I have seen would lead one to add them to the list as well.

"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher." -- Lucretius, Roman Poet (94 - 55 BCE)

Well, my main concern would be Rome. I think they have the power/reach and are a very dangerous and often times underestimated organization.

Ramasax

The only I risk I see is that the BYU or Vactican or other fanatical institution will see fit to rewrite the Greek Tragedies/Dramas. For example, Hercules and other gods/dem-gods are cast in these plays. This does not support the mono-theistic view of the world.

So instead of Hercules, they could recast the kid who killed Goliath...no wait, he was jewish, better to cast Dr. PHil instead. Zeus is replaced by God, Apollo by Jesus etc...no wait, Jesus was jewish, better to use Buddah, no wait, buddah wasn't christian...i have no idea how they will pull it off....you guys discuss amongst yourselves.

As noted Rama, we do have the example of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which the vatican tried for 30 years to withhold. I think your concern is well placed. Merely suggest that sort of zealotry is not restricted to the cat-licks.

"All religions are equally sublime to the ignorant, useful to the politician, and ridiculous to the philosopher." -- Lucretius, Roman Poet (94 - 55 BCE)