Re: The Vinland Map Find Or Fraud?

In soc.history.medieval hippo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>"Paul J Gans" wrote in message

>> In soc.history.medieval hippo wrote:
>>
>> >"David B." wrote in message
>>
>> >> hippo wrote in message
>>
>> >> >I seem to remember carbon dating was every bit as controversial right
>> >> >through the '70s as the Vinland map itself. Are you suggesting that
>the
>> >> >forger knew about the process?  Your point is well taken. The Old
>World
>> >> >without the northern islands would fit a circular frame but as it is
>> >> >not. -the Troll
>> >>
>> >> I suspect that any good forger would take the trouble to keep informed
>of
>> >> the latest developments in detection technology, and if possible
>> >capitalise
>> >> on them (a good motto for forgers: "The more impossible things you can
>do,
>> >> the more implausible things you can get away with").
>> >>
>> >> As for the framing of the Old World- my other messages in this thread
>are
>> >> starting to explore the possible significance of its egg-like
>appearance,
>> >> and related issues.
>>
>> >Forgers must be motivated in ways that make no sense to the rest of us.
>At
>> >the cost of much effort and not a little luck in finding a blank sheet of
>> >parchment of the right age without the benefit of modern dating
>processes,
>> >the forger had to learn the skills and mindset of a Medieval
>> >scribe/cartographer, spend weeks with a quill pen doing the work of
>forgery
>> >(taking a shortcut with the ink) to make a couple of thousand bucks. I'm
>> >sorry but it makes far better sense that the map is genuine. -the Troll
>>
>> There are other theories.  Check out
>>
>>   http://webexhibits.org/vinland/index.html
>>
>> for an introduction to some of these.  One hint:  the forger
>> was not necessarily interested in money.
>>
>>     ---- Paul J. Gans

>A fun site but not convincing either way. The site's main concern with the
>authenticity of the map seems to be that Greenland correctly appears as an
>island with a similar shape to what is known today. What is not mentioned is
>the disparity in scale and that N. America is also shown as an island. What
>is shown of Greenland is probably only the southernmost explored areas with
>the north fudged just as the west side of 'Vinland' Island is fudged. We do
>know that the west coast of Greenland was well known since the settlers
>regularly went hunting for bear and seal there in the summer months. What I
>find intriguing is that the White Sea does not appear on the map. It was
>well known to Norwegians from at least the ninth-tenth centuries with
>trading/raiding expeditions for firs recorded in the Sagas. What then was
>the experience of the cartographer who knew Iceland and Vinland well enough
>but not the Norwegian coast or the Baltic? -the Troll

I gave you the reference so that you might discover some
reasons for the forgery other than money.  I guess I did
not make myself clear.

   ---- Paul J. Gans

PS:  Stop figuring out reasons for thinking the map a fraud.
If you continue you'll find yourself agreeing with me.