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Breakthrough Decodes 'Classical Holy Grail'

Posted by timothy on from the can-you-drink-from-a-decoded-grail? dept.

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)"

9 of 538 comments (clear)

  1. First post by Minkey+Brines · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Yee ha

  2. rawr by Renraku · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    I bet the pornography industry was interested in what people used to look at back in olden times. Hell, the pornography industry spurred the development of a lot of other useful technologies too!

    --
    Job? I don't have time to get a job! Who will sit around and bitch about being broke and unemployed then?
  3. Post first?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Frist stop!

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

    until they discover evidence of the existence of Biggus Dickus?

  5. 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.

  6. Nature of faith by rctay · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Many forget the definition of faith. Evidence doesn't matter. Faith by definition is a belief in something that can't be proved or truly understood. It's not open to debate. It's a personal choice and should be respected. Those that lack it, can never understand it. There seems to exist a universal human need to embrace it, regardless of motive. I personally lack it, but honestly wish I didn't.

  7. 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
  8. Re:70-some messages so far... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    FWIW (very little indeed), in the letter taking responsibility for the bombing in Spain, Al-Qaeda endorsed Bush.

    /preserving the integrity of Slashdot as a historical reference

  9. Oh, wicked, bad, naughty evil Zoot! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Sir Galahad: Zoot!
    Dingo: No, I am Zoot's identical twin sister, Dingo.
    [He tried to get past her]
    Dingo: Where are you going?
    Sir Galahad: I seek the Grail! I have seen it, here in this castle!
    Dingo: No, oh no! Bad, bad Zoot!
    Sir Galahad: What is it?
    Dingo: She has been setting a light to our beacon, which, I've just remembered, is Grail shaped. It's not the first time we've had this problem.
    Sir Galahad: It's not the real Grail?
    Dingo: Oh, wicked, bad, naught evil Zoot! Oh, she is a bad person, and she must pay the penalty!
    [Turns to camera]
    Dingo: Do you think this scene should have been cut? We were so worried when the boys were writing it, but now we're glad! It's better than some of the previous scenes I think.
    Left Head: Our was better visually.
    Dennis: Ours was committed, it wasn't just a string of pussy jokes.
    Bridgekeeper: Get on with it.
    Tim: Yes! Get on with it!
    Army: Get on with it!
    Dingo: Oh, thank you, thank you!
    God: Get on with it!