Extraordinary Discovery Unlocks Secrets of the Ancients

[Rusalka]

Eureka! Extraordinary discovery unlocks secrets of the ancients

By David Keys and Nicholas Pyke
17 April 2005



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.



http://news.independent.co.uk/world/...p?story=630166

[Menydh]

Originally Posted by Rusalka

plus a series of Christian gospels which have been lost for up to 2,000 years.

Expect more speculative books about Christ in the near future.

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Mynydd

Expect more speculative books about Christ in the near future.

LOL! funny, my first thought too.
I love it when all this "lost wisdom" conveniently becomes available to us.

Maybe I'm just too cynical

[Rusalka]

Personally, I'm more interested in the possible new translations of Ovid and Aeschylus. It's obvious that no found gospel would change Christianity, a religion established for two millenia so it would only count for academical purposes.

[Awar]

Originally Posted by Milesian

LOL! funny, my first thought too.
I love it when all this "lost wisdom" conveniently becomes available to us.

Maybe I'm just too cynical

On the contrary, I'll sooner believe today's findings of ancient items,
because today more people are aware that 'ancient stuff = worth a lot',
while in previous decades and centuries,
ancient items got destroyed, or misinterpreted more easily.

Besides, there are probably more archaeologists at work
as we speak, than there were in all previous times,
not to mention they have more knowledge, more equipment
and more reason to do their work than ever before.

So, there's no wonder new things appear 'out of the blue',
because better technology is available, and from this,
there always come new ideas on how to tackle old problems.

Need I remind you of the christian scripts from the Byzantine empire
which were written over classical greek scripts. It took 21st century technology to make the ancient greek script visible.

[Awar]

Indeed, many things connected to christianity ( symbols, scriptures used, ceremonies, traditions ) are a product of
decisions of various people on the top of the church hierarchy, during the last 2000 years.

The number of accepted gospels, the use of the cross as the symbol of christianity etc. etc. it's been decided/introduced by emperors, nobles, clergy, true believers and opportunists ...

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Awar

On the contrary, I'll sooner believe today's findings of ancient items,
because today more people are aware that 'ancient stuff = worth a lot',
while in previous decades and centuries,
ancient items got destroyed, or misinterpreted more easily.

Is this established fact or subjective opinion?

Besides, there are probably more archaeologists at work
as we speak, than there were in all previous times,
not to mention they have more knowledge, more equipment
and more reason to do their work than ever before.

In terms of any "new" Gospels, then it would be helpful if they were theologians or biblical scholars. I'm not sure if archaelogists are properly qualified to pass definitive judgement.

So, there's no wonder new things appear 'out of the blue',
because better technology is available, and from this,
there always come new ideas on how to tackle old problems.

Poor Awar, so niave and trusting

Need I remind you of the christian scripts from the Byzantine empire
which were written over classical greek scripts. It took 21st century technology to make the ancient greek script visible.

Hey, blame the Eastern Orthodox

[Milesian]

Originally Posted by Awar

Indeed, many things connected to christianity ( symbols, scriptures used, ceremonies, traditions ) are a product of
decisions of various people on the top of the church hierarchy, during the last 2000 years.

The number of accepted gospels, the use of the cross as the symbol of christianity etc. etc. it's been decided/introduced by emperors, nobles, clergy, true believers and opportunists ...

Zzzzzz.....

[Awar]

Originally Posted by Milesian

Is this established fact or subjective opinion?

Subjective, as I said in the beginning of the post.
If you weren't so quick to hit the 'reply' button, you'd have seen that part

In terms of any "new" Gospels, then it would be helpful if they were theologians or biblical scholars. I'm not sure if archaelogists are properly qualified to pass definitive judgement.

It's upon the archaeologist to find such a thing,
if he's impersonal about it, all the better.