September 22, 2010
Science Department
Scientists Model Early Glass Slipper Technology
Breaking news:
The actual headline I read was Computers show how wind could have parted Red Sea. The first line of the article reads "New computer simulations have shown how the parting of the Red Sea, as described in the Bible, could have been a phenomenon caused by strong winds." It's a summary of an actual scientific article from the journal Plos One. Normally I just ignore crap like this, but it's shown up in the top ten most read articles on the BBC for more than 24 hours now, and Plos One is an up-and-coming journal that has some level of respect in the science community.New computer simulations have shown how a glass slipper, as described in Grimm's Cinderella, could have been created using a unique combination of quartz-rich silicates found only in northern Germany. When heated to just the right temperature, as was available in primitive furnaces of 14th century middle Europe, the model demonstrated that glass could have annealed by chemicals from nearby dung fires forming a unique matrix. Early cobblers could have used this glass to construct a slipper durable enough to be worn by a young stepdaughter destined to become a princess.
From an archeological perspective, just what has the study shown? Well, nothing, actually. It showed that, under certain meteorological conditions, a phenomenon that is known to be possible, is possible in one particular geographic area. If this had been a study to explain an observed event, or to shed light on a particular set of fossils in a particular location, it would have been interesting and useful.
From an anthropological perspective? Very little, if not nothing as well. Studying accounts of actual historical events is a useful process for anthropologists. There is a difference, however, between well documented accounts and stories or legends about events. Stories and legends can be based upon actual events, but often become modified and embellished as they get repeated. The Iliad is a good example of story telling based upon what may, or may not be, an actual historical event.
The Iliad is a wonderful set of stories about the Trojan War. There is some evidence that the Mycenaeans mounted expeditions against the city of Illium. This may have been what Homer's stories were based upon. There is nothing, however, to suggest that people called Achilles, Ajax, Hector and Paris fought personal battles over the honor of anyone. There is no evidence that the infamous Trojan Horse is anything other than a very cool plot twist in an epic story.
There were certainly great battles and wars fought by the ancient Greeks, but we have no account of the details of the Trojan War outside of the epic poems of Homer. It would be (scientifically) pointless to create computer models showing how a Trojan horse could be built using the technology employed by the ancient Greeks. It might make for a crappy Discovery Channel show, but should never be published in a respected scientific journal.
The Biblical story of the Exodus is just that; a story. A legend. It may be based on some actual events, but the details of those events have been lost. Archeo-anthropologists can't even find good evidence that an ancient tribe of Israel was ever enslaved by the Pharaohs of Egypt, though it's certainly possible. If such an exodus occurred, however, the stories in the Torah, Old Testament and Qur'an are like the tales compiled by the brothers Grimm.
Grimm's Fairy Tales is a collection meant to teach values or morals, written in an entertaining style, based upon stories that had been told by countless generations in many forms. I hate to be the one to break it to you, but Cinderella is not about a specific German girl in a specific German village who became a princess of a known kingdom. I'm sure that, throughout history, there have been actual people who started out with a raw deal and eventually ended up making good. I also am sure that ancient enslaved peoples have at times managed to become free from their masters and settled in new regions.
Trying to prove a specific element from one such tale, such as the parting of the Red Sea, or the existence of a glass slipper, is scientifically pointless. Those who think that, without proof of the details, the meaning of those stories will be lost are just as pointless.
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