'the classical equivalent of finding the holy grail'

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the recent breakthroughs in reading the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, a collection of ancient Greek and Roman writings. Participants express excitement about the potential discoveries and speculate on the origins and uses of these papyri, considering their historical significance and the implications of the findings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express enthusiasm about the potential to read lost works by classical authors, describing the breakthrough as akin to finding the holy grail.
  • There are questions regarding the authenticity and reliability of the reports about the discoveries, with some participants seeking confirmation from multiple sources.
  • A participant criticizes the lack of coverage by certain journalists, expressing frustration over perceived ignorance in reporting.
  • Speculation arises about how the papyri ended up in an ancient garbage dump, with suggestions that they may have been used as practice copies by scribes or as thermal insulation material.
  • Another viewpoint humorously suggests that the papyri could have been used as toilet paper, leading to a light-hearted debate about their condition and historical uses.
  • Some participants acknowledge the possibility of thermal insulation uses while also agreeing that the papyri might have been discarded due to their condition.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express excitement about the discoveries, but there is no consensus on the specific historical uses of the papyri or the implications of their findings. Multiple competing views regarding their origins and uses remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants' claims about the uses of the papyri depend on assumptions about historical practices and the conditions in ancient Egypt, which are not fully substantiated in the discussion.

Ivan Seeking
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Decoded at last: the 'classical holy grail' that may rewrite the history of the world

Scientists begin to unlock the secrets of papyrus scraps bearing long-lost words by the literary giants of Greece and Rome
By David Keys and Nicholas Pyke
17 April 2005


For more than a century, it has caused excitement and frustration in equal measure - a collection of Greek and Roman writings so vast it could redraw the map of classical civilisation. If only it was legible.

Now, in a breakthrough described as the classical equivalent of finding the holy grail, Oxford University scientists have employed infrared technology to open up the hoard, known as the Oxyrhynchus Papyri, and with it the prospect that hundreds of lost Greek comedies, tragedies and epic poems will soon be revealed.

In the past four days alone, Oxford's classicists have used it to make a series of astonishing discoveries, including writing by Sophocles, Euripides, Hesiod and other literary giants of the ancient world, lost for millennia. They even believe they are likely to find lost Christian gospels, the originals of which were written around the time of the earliest books of the New Testament. [continued]
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/science_technology/story.jsp?story=630165
 
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Amazing what they are able to do. I can't wait to see everything they're able to read.
 
Can this really be true?
If it is, it's just fantastic!
 
arildno said:
Can this really be true?
If it is, it's just fantastic!


It seems to be on the level and is now widely reported.

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=11100BF9KMSL
http://science.slashdot.org/science/05/04/17/0845214.shtml?tid=146&tid=126&tid=14
http://www.austinreview.com/archives/2005/04/oxyrhynchus_pap.html
http://www.legendgames.net/showstory.asp?page=blognews/stories/ST0000030.txt
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100010_19/04/2005_55372

etc etc etc
 
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This really brings to the light that Norwegian journalists are UNCULTURED, IDIOTIC AND CRIMINALLY STUPID individiuals who ought to be expunged from the human race by shoving their worthless drivel down their throats and make them choke on it.

I haven't seen a single, damn word about this..
 
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Makes me wonder how they ended up in a ancient garbage dump in Egypt. Perhaps practice copys of the scribes in training?
 
hypatia said:
Makes me wonder how they ended up in a ancient garbage dump in Egypt. Perhaps practice copys of the scribes in training?
That is one very good option, here's another one:

A lot of the salvaged "saga" literature was found as thermal isolation material in the Icelanders' humble dwellings.

Perhaps ancient papyri were used in a similar manner by the Egyptians?
(and later on, ended up as garbage?)
 
Thermal isolation...in Egypt ? More likely it was used for TP.

Anyway, this is very exciting stuff !
 
Gokul43201 said:
Thermal isolation...in Egypt ?
Yeah, I know, that IS a rather embarassing question (to me at least).. :redface:
 
  • #10
I'm going with the toilet paper. Bet it was softer then dried palm leafs
 
  • #11
hypatia said:
I'm going with the toilet paper. Bet it was softer then dried palm leafs
No wonder they're in a bad shape, then.. :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
Thermal isolation is a possability. It does get cold in the desert (at night). Insulation also works to keep things cool too.
But I have to agree it was probably better than leaves, and what else do you with scrap paper/notes if it's not needed and you already have the fire lit :wink:
 

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