> the scientific mumbo-jumbo is depressing as it reveals how silly these suppositions based on suppositions based on presumptions based on assumptions can get.

> the scientific mumbo-jumbo is depressing as it reveals how silly these suppositions based on suppositions based on presumptions based on assumptions can get. ... For instance, this bit The study[0] says: "The images on the manuscript are particularly worn, especially those likely to be touched, rubbed or kissed as part of religious veneration, such as the nearly rubbed-out green crucifix, attesting to its use (figure 1)" and has a picture for you to see for yourself. It doesn't seem particularly silly to me. Also it says "severe abrasions implies that it was often touched or kissed, and accords with widespread evidence of medieval votive practices, where an image was kissed or rubbed so frequently the image is worn and blurred" and links to a rather fascinating 56-page paper (with lots of beautiful photos of illuminated manuscripts) on the subject, "Kissing images, unfurling rolls, measuring wounds, sewing badges and carrying talismans: considering some Harley manuscripts through the physical rituals they reveal".[1] [0] https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.202055 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.202055 [1] https://www.bl.uk/eblj/2011articles/pdf/ebljarticle52011.pdf https://www.bl.uk/eblj/2011articles/pdf/ebljarticle52011.pdf