11-09-2016, 08:34 PM
We don't have a thread about one of the more important names in the manuscript's post-manufacture history yet, so here goes. These are some of my thoughts, feel free to add your own 
Ever since I learned Baresch thought there was some connection between the mystery manuscript on his shelves and Egypt, I have wondered if perhaps he knew something. I mean, he must have gotten it from someone, and that someone must have told him something about its origin. Sure, this could have been a game of "telephone", where the origins of the manuscript are slightly altered with each owner, but I wonder if it is at all possible that Baresch had still gained some knowledge about its original circumstances.
Even if all he knew was something like "it was bought from x", this may have placed him in a better position than us to assess its contents. Apart from the fact that he lived much closer to the time of its manufacture than we do.
One thing is for certain: Baresch contacted the most famous Egyptologist of his time at least twice, and told him his thoughts on an Egyptian connection.
Some of Philip Neal's You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. on his translation of the letter also point in the direction that Baresch really believed that not only the images, but also the script was Egyptian:
Neal also notes:
So well, I wonder what your opinions are about Baresch and his letter. Does anyone know if a scan of this letter exists somewhere?
Also, is anything else known about Baresch that might help us?
Ever since I learned Baresch thought there was some connection between the mystery manuscript on his shelves and Egypt, I have wondered if perhaps he knew something. I mean, he must have gotten it from someone, and that someone must have told him something about its origin. Sure, this could have been a game of "telephone", where the origins of the manuscript are slightly altered with each owner, but I wonder if it is at all possible that Baresch had still gained some knowledge about its original circumstances.
Even if all he knew was something like "it was bought from x", this may have placed him in a better position than us to assess its contents. Apart from the fact that he lived much closer to the time of its manufacture than we do.
One thing is for certain: Baresch contacted the most famous Egyptologist of his time at least twice, and told him his thoughts on an Egyptian connection.
Some of Philip Neal's You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. on his translation of the letter also point in the direction that Baresch really believed that not only the images, but also the script was Egyptian:
Quote:The point is that Barschius assumes that the key to the problem is simply to identify the script.
Neal also notes:
Quote:It is of interest that seventeenth century herbalists could not identify the plants.
So well, I wonder what your opinions are about Baresch and his letter. Does anyone know if a scan of this letter exists somewhere?
Also, is anything else known about Baresch that might help us?