Breakthrough Decodes 'Classical Holy Grail'

wka writes "Scientists at Oxford University have made a major breakthrough in their study of a large collection of Greek and Roman writings. Many of the documents known as the 'Oxyrhynchus Papyri' (found at 'ancient rubbish dump in central Egypt') are 'meaningless to the naked eye - decayed, worm-eaten and blackened by the passage of time.' Using an infrared technique originally developed for use with satellite imaging, scientists are able to view the original writing, which 'could lead to a 20 per cent increase in the number of great Greek and Roman works in existence'. Thus far, works by Sophocles, Lucian, Euripides, Hesiod and others have been (re-)discovered. Additionally, scientists think they 'are likely to find lost Christian gospels.' (via The Light of Reason)"

Comments

This is just in...

[Anonymous Coward]

Dan Brown just had his next idea for a book...

Potentially Interesting Finds, and a correction

[mrRay720]

'could lead to a 20 per cent increase in the number of great Greek and Roman works in existence'

Well no, but it could certainly increase the number of them that we can read.

Additionally, scientists think they 'are likely to find lost Christian gospels.'

What's the betting that the one that reads "'The Bible' copyright 134AD, Any resemblance to people past or present is purely coincidental" is quickly covered up?

Re:Potentially Interesting Finds, and a correction

[Denyer]

What's the betting that the one that reads "'The Bible' copyright 134AD

Or the Red Dwarf version:

Newsreader: Good evening. Here is the news on Friday, the 27th of Geldof. Archeologists near Mount Sinai have discovered what is believed to be a missing page from the Bible. The page is currently being carbon-dated in Bonne. If genuine, it belongs at the beginning of the Bible and is believed to read, "To my darling Candy. All characters portrayed within this book are fictitous and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental." The page has been universally condemned by church leaders.

That's all well and good, but..

[ShaunC]

..can it decipher doctors' handwriting on prescription pads? That would be a momentous scientific advance!

Obligatory...

[Attaturk]

Euripides papyri you pay for 'em.

Now don't let them in on this...

[gt_swagger]

But I've discovered it's really an ancient Linux (kernel 0.2.1), where all console output is put on paper. What did they find important enough to try and save? Apparently the following command, entered over and over:
$ fortune

Copyright?

[MarkByers]

I hope these works are not going to be reprinted without fully compensating the original authors, and their descendants.

i'm waiting

[Rageon]

Until it's capable of decoding Ogg Vorbis, I'm not buying it.

When they find it ...

[cablepokerface]

'Classical Holy Grail'

... for God's sake let them drink using the wooden cup and not the golden. I tell you, I've seen it happen before, I know.

Re:The significance of "new" gospels...

[eddy]

>Think of a 50 foot tall cross walking out of Jesus tomb, shouting imprecations upon Jerusalem.

Yeah, because that's just sooo much more fantastic than floating axes and talking bushes.