Re: VMs: Counting sheep...?

["DANA SCOTT" <dscott520@xxxxxxx>]

Hello Barbara,

Well, being able to date the manuscript as precisely as possible is of 
considerable interest.

Knowing what type of beast sacrificed its hide may help to orient the origin 
of the VMS to a particular locale.

I believe that examiniation of the vellum of the VMS revealed that it has a 
'rough' side and a smooth side which may tell us something about the process 
used to produce the vellum.

Since vellum could be scrubbed to a fine thinness it may suggest the process 
used to produce the vellum.

There may be 'washing' residues/chemicals that might still be found in the 
vellum (probably not).

There may even be microscopic spores, dust, etc., though there could also be 
quite a bit of contamination from contiuned handling over the years.

Perhaps an examination of the chemicals used in the ink provide would 
provide clues as to the provenance of the VMS?

The degree of error in carbon dating seems too unreliable for our needs and 
interests. It is an intrusive process requiring further
destruction of a portion of the manuscript which I am not in favor of at 
this point. Perhaps there are less intrusive processes for dating presently 
available.

I expect that there are additional suggestions and interests concerning a 
scientific examination of the manuscript.

Regards,
Dana Scott


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barbara Barrett" <barbarabarrett@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <vms-list@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 29, 2004 3:49 AM
Subject: Re: VMs: Counting sheep...?


>
>
> > Nick Noted;.....and Maurizio Mentioned;
> <snip lots of calculations>
>
> Barbara Blithers;
>
> Uh guys......Vellum can *not* be made from sheepskin: a young animal is
> needed for the right grade of skin.
>
> Usually Vellum is made from calfskin. Calves are _roughly_ twice the size 
> of
> a sheep. If one doubles the dimensions then one *quadruples* the surface
> area.
> Therefore the number of calves needed to make the vms in vellum would be a
> about a quarter of the number of sheep needed if it had been made in
> parchment.
>
> Therefore a minimum of only two calves, and (alowing for an over-estimate 
> of
> hide suitable for vellum making) a maximum of three calves, are needed to
> produce as much writing materiel as eight sheep!
>
> Now, a question, for I confess to great confussion here; what relevence 
> has
> the number of animals that went "into" the vms have to our studies?
> I fail to see it myself :-(
>
> Barbara
>
>
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