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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)"

3 of 538 comments (clear)

  1. How long... by 0x461FAB0BD7D2 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    until they discover evidence of the existence of Biggus Dickus?

  2. In other news by theufo · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    An unknown spyware vendor has been funding the research and is now starting to dredge up keylog files with negative timestamps. "They never refused to accept our EULA ", Spokesman S. Ucker commented.

  3. Re:Potentially Interesting Finds, and a correction by ikkonoishi · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    You always put the date after a copyright followed by the name of the holder.

    http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#fnv


    The notice for visually perceptible copies should contain all the following three elements:

    1. The symbol © (the letter C in a circle), or the word "Copyright," or the abbreviation "Copr."; and

    2. The year of first publication of the work. In the case of compilations or derivative works incorporating previously published material, the year date of first publication of the compilation or derivative work is sufficient. The year date may be omitted where a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, with accompanying textual matter, if any, is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery, jewelry, dolls, toys, or any useful article; and

    3. The name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner.

    Example: © 2002 John Doe