3 ms·
Without getting into the question of how we know what we know, here is a wikipedia link on the Herculaneum scrolls, which people have been unrolling, usually de
by scroll12345 3y ago
Without getting into the question of how we know what we know, here is a wikipedia link on the Herculaneum scrolls, which people have been unrolling, usually destructively, and reading, since the mid 1700s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum_papyri https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum_papyri
The use of x-ray tomography is just the latest iteration on viewing techniques which have ranged from holding fragments up to the light to look for reflections from the carbonized ink, to multispectral scanning.
Whether x-ray tomography is sensitive enough to detect carbon-based ink in carbonized scrolls is an open question. But unless you have personal experience
to the contrary, based on carbonizing papyrus scrolls in a low-oxygen environment (not at all the same thing as lighting newspapers on fire), you might be inclined to believe, based on 250 years of observations, that there is information that can be extracted from the scrolls.
- verisimi 3y agoRight - so you are saying a newspaper is not equivalent to papyrus. Fine. But there must be a material that we can prepare and burn that is. You have to reliably prove the methodology. I remember when tvs weren't on for 24 hours - and there would be literal white noise being broadcast - it looked like lots of black and white dots moving. If you wanted and paid attention you could spot whatever you wanted on the screen - eg a red squirrel moving from left to right. Why should viewing a red squirrel be discounted but finding 'ancient texts' be valid? Well, if you have a methodology that can read burnt newspapers (or a modern equivalent) and the text is correct - then you have a strong case. If its just a case of 'trust the machine and its interpretation' well, I will trust my interpretation - that the machine is spotting red squirrels.
- angiosperm 3y agoAgain, just making shit up is no substitute for doing the work. Here, it is exclusively other people doing the work. Anybody can make up any shit they like, giving made-up shit negative value.