Re: [Megillot] L30 Tables

[Jack Kilmon]

16 feet of plastered mud-clay table and benchwork that has stirred
controversy regarding their use.  They were found in L30 and apparently
fell
from the second floor.  Were they for writing?  Triclinium (kinda 
narrow)?
Assumedly for writing and/or calculation, but assumedly it was no 
Triclinium
(an anachronistic term with Catholic connotation)
I would argue this but it is not the point of the discussion.

Microanalysis of the plaster surface would settle the matter.  If this
table
was used in a scriptorium there will be microscopic traces of ink, 
perhaps
even animal hide and papyrus microfibers.
No Scriptorium (again an anachronistic term), but perhaps a branch office.
Scriptorium need not be a "monastic" term but a word that represents a place 
where scribal activity took place.  They may have called it maqom ha sefer 
but it is still irrelevent to my point.  Were those cotton pickin tables 
used for writing?



There could be indentations from
writing in the plaster..but there WILL be trace elements of scribal
activity
IF it was used for that purpose.  It would have been inevitable after
years
of use.
Traces of ink - perhaps, perhaps not.
Again, if those tables were used for writing texts over any period of time, 
there will indeed be evidence of it.  Microscopic particles of ink from 
tapping reed pens.  Blots, accidental spills, bleed through, even smears 
from ink on thumbs.  Traces of ink carbon, gallic acid, etc.



Surface analysis methodologies has been one of the most rapid areas of
technological advance. X-ray fluorescence and diffraction, laser
diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, reflectometry and photoemission
methods
lead lists of dozens of non-destructive techniques.
For sure one would find the genetic fingerprint of P�re Roland de Vaux.
I am not all that concerned with Fr. de Vaux's "monastery imagery" but just 
want to know if these tests on those surfaces have been done and, if not, it 
is not serious science being done over there.


These traces will settle whether or not there was a "scriptorium" and the
word wont have to be put in quotation marks any more by authors writing
books and papers concerning Qumran and L30.
The word remains in quotation marks due to its anachronistic connotation.
Well, there were scribal school traditions throughout ancient Palestine and 
I do not believe that the DSS and Torahs were written "lap style."  A 
scriptorium means "place for scribing" and would be the same as a maqom 
haSefer.  The question remains open whether those tables from L30 were used 
for writing and proper forensic examination would settle the issue.  Why in 
the pluperfect holy smoke has it not been done?



I remember Stephen Goranson's
aticle in BAR regarding scribal activity at Qumran..what? 10 years ago?
BAR 20, 5 (1994) pp.37-39.

Maybe Stephen would know something about this...Stephen?
Jack
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