12-03-2016, 11:53 PM
I say earlier because I believe much of MS Beinecke 408 was copied from earlier sources. That is why I think the best parallels would probably be found in pre-medieval works, if many of those exist at all. I also don't know if there's a more or less uninterrupted line between ancient practices of root figures and the medieval ones, or if we are looking at various totally unconnected traditons. Some similarities suggest a degree of continuity, but on the other hand it's not unimaginable that various cultures drew roots like hands independently.