posted 01-25-2002 09:08 AM            

There are many free websites where you can collect your data on webpages and then link the webpage for all to view.

posted 02-01-2002 02:15 PM            

As Mr. Thermit will attest, I tend to take the review of data and (non-anecdotal) evidence presented on this board pretty seriously. I am sure he will also concur that, given what I read, I am perfectly willing to comment favorably on such.

I will be glad to do the same to yours. Obviously, as one researcher to another, I will check your sources, just as I am sure you would do to mine. If your research shows a correlation between solar activity and the preponderance of aircraft contrails, I will be the first to admit it. I consider searching for truth more important than staking out a theological position and staying with it.

On the other hand, if I find that -- in my opinion -- the evidence and data do not support your conclusions, I will point such out, with (if possible) an alternate hypothesis that -- again, in my opinion -- better supports the reported data. As someone knowledgeable in the methods of scientific inquiry, I am sure you would do the same; if we do not, how can we advance the knowledge of the subject? In any event, I look forward to seeing your data.

I hardly think my approach to data evaluation constitutes "poo-pooing" you or any of my other colleagues here.

posted 02-01-2002 02:51 PM            

Your hypothesis of solar activity is an interesting one, and there is extensive dendrochronological evidence to support significant climate changes at around the end of the first millennium of our era. Although I am not sure of the exact date (I am certainly no expert in this field), it wouldn't surprise me to see that your dating is both correct and indicative of major activity.

However, I would disagree with the correlation between the Pictii dyeing themselves with blue clay as a response to an increase in perceived ultraviolet activity. Most antiquarians agree that the source of such coloring was woad (Isatis tinctoria) a hardy biennial plant native to northern Europe and the British Isles that is a source of the blue dye chemical, indigotin, that is also produced by the much stronger and more famous sub-tropical indigo plant. Evidence shows that they had been doing this long before the tenth century AD, as can be seen by the quote from Caesar (De Bello Gallico, Book V):

"Omnes vero se Britanni vitro inficiunt, quod caeruleum efficit colorem."

Which is typically translated as "All the Brittani, . . . indeed, dye themselves with woad, which produces a dark blue coloring."

Although I am not familiar with the photochemical aspects of woad (or much else, for that matter), my guess that dark dyes, by absorbing more ultraviolet than the typical pale skin of the Pictii, would not ameliorate the effects of ultraviolet; indeed, they would probably exacerbate it.

If you're interested in further information about using dendrochronology to perform dating or other archaeometric functions, there's an excellent overview at: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/Science/metro/basic_treering.htm

Regards,

posted 02-02-2002 07:26 PM            

The first picture of you on your home page; is that a D-28 propped up on the rock to your left?

Inquiring minds want to know!