25-06-2020, 06:33 PM
David, I'm all for finding hidden meanings, including faces (tendrilface is real!). But in this case, the illusion of a face is created by an external event, namely the deterioration of this area in the vellum. On the one hand, much of the ink has faded, removing the "spray" pattern. And on the other hand, a slit in the material together with lighting conditions of the scan, create the illusion that a nose has been drawn.
I do agree about the presence of crenellations. I can't quite agree with Searcher's suggestion that the fortification is placed atop of the volcano though. The opening of the volcano is separated from the building by the matter erupting from it. So it's more like an eruption, and the ash or whatever else reaching a nearby city.
I wonder if some description of an eruption might be behind this. Take the famous letters from Pliny the Younger to Tacitus (source: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. )
I find it especially interesting how various forms of ash and debris are described:
And:
(I just re-learned that Pliny the Elder - the one whose texts we often use - died in this event)
I do agree about the presence of crenellations. I can't quite agree with Searcher's suggestion that the fortification is placed atop of the volcano though. The opening of the volcano is separated from the building by the matter erupting from it. So it's more like an eruption, and the ash or whatever else reaching a nearby city.
I wonder if some description of an eruption might be behind this. Take the famous letters from Pliny the Younger to Tacitus (source: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. )
Quote:About one in the afternoon, my mother pointed out a cloud with an odd size and appearance that had just formed. From that distance it was not clear from which mountain the cloud was rising, although it was found afterwards to be Vesuvius. The cloud could best be described as more like an umbrella pine than any other tree, because it rose high up in a kind of trunk and then divided into branches. I imagine that this was because it was thrust up by the initial blast until its power weakened and it was left unsupported and spread out sideways under its own weight.
I find it especially interesting how various forms of ash and debris are described:
Quote:The ash already falling became hotter and thicker as the ships approached the coast and it was soon superseded by pumice and blackened burnt stones shattered by the fire. Suddenly the sea shallowed where the shore was obstructed and choked by debris from the mountain.
And:
Quote:Meanwhile, tall broad flames blazed from several places on Vesuvius and glared out through the darkness of the night.
(I just re-learned that Pliny the Elder - the one whose texts we often use - died in this event)