Next Up For Decoding: The Voynich Manuscript
    By Hank Campbell | October 26th 2011 11:32 AM | 3 comments | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
    A team of researchers that made headlines for decoding a secret society's 18th century manuscript, the Copiale Cipher,  is working to reveal the secret behind an even more mysterious book, one that the world has yet to decode or even know if it is anything but gibberish - the Voynich manuscript.

    Currently owned by Yale, the Voynich manuscript was discovered in the Villa Mondragone near Rome in 1912 by antique book dealer Wilfrid Voynich while sifting through a chest of books offered for sale by the Society of Jesus.  The decades since have been spent trying to figure out if it is anything except made up - researchers recently determined it was from the 15th century, so it is at least not a modern hoax.



    Researchers Crack Secret Society's 18th Century Code, Target World's Most Mysterious Book - Fox News

    Comments

    Has it ever occured to anyone that said manuscript was the product of a savant, perhaps born to privilage,and had access to writing and drawing materials and enjoyed observing and rendering things he, or she observed?

    Bob J (not verified) | 11/05/11 | 09:15 AM
    Hank
    I think most people believe it was more like a kid who wanted to invent some new language but didn't know how - I did that sort of stuff when I was young so if someone finds it 400 years ago and thinks it is meaningful, they will spin their wheels.  Still, since it's a mystery someone will want to solve it.
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    Hank Campbell | 11/05/11 | 10:11 AM
    I figure if someone intended to make his own language but lacked the knowledge it would be obvious, following the grammar, etc, of the author's natural language. In my case, for instance it would resemble an Indo European language rather than Japanese or Navajo. The brain would use the parameters of its language center, not being able to naturally use a truly invented syntax and grammar. This document puzzles the best cryptological minds on the planet.

    KRC (not verified) | 11/05/11 | 21:33 PM