Lin,

I absolutely agree with you on looking at a genuine piece if you get the opportunity. I used to live near to the Ashmolean which was a gem of a place for antiquities - absolutely fantastic place. However, there's nothing as close where I live in the sticks in Nottinghamshire In the UK a stones throw is much shorter than its US counterpart.

I will one day be going back to Oxfordshire to visit friends I'm sure and the Ashmolean will be on the itinery, and I will be taking the camera with me.

Those links are fantastic and have put some ideas into my head when I'm out and about on my hols. Thanks!

Cheers,
Matt

Matt,

I spent many happy hours in the Ashmolean. A wonderful Egyptian collection! The Museum has undergone a massive renovation since I was last there, but the Egyptian wing was marvelously dense--a small space packed with cases full of all sorts... canopic jars, mummified critters, antediluvian dried fruit... good things!

You probably know the Pitt-Rivers Museum too, but if not, drop in next time you're in Oxon.

:D

Lin

Lin,

Indeed, I've been in the Pitt-Rivers museum also - another star place for us bizzarists. I think that was one I visited when I was doing my A Level Archaeology night classes about 10 years since. All those loose threads coming together in this art form.

Cheers,
Matt

Thank you but I'm certainly no expert at aging documents! Not even close. I can make stuff look crappy though!

I think maybe you faded the writing a bit too much. From the ones I've seen the black retains it's density for the most part (and is not gray) but some of the character is flaked away or rubbed away...I don't know how to artiulate it sorry.

No worries Doug, I can easily rub a little of the ash off and it'll show up the characters more clearly. I think the lighting in the photo may have washed out the contrast though as they're quite clear when you look at the original.

Cheers,
Matt