THE SYRIAC MANUSCRIPT recently seized by an anti-smuggling police unit in Turkey has received some attention on the Hugoye list. George Kiraz posted the original article, then Hidemi Takahashi posted links to better photos. With a good look at some of the text now available, Steven Ring has posted a provisional identification: "It looks like an East Syrian liturgical Ms. Perhaps liturgical prayers extracted from the East Syrian Shhima for the period between the Nativity and the Epiphany (December - January)." Such things are always interesting, of course, but the Turkish authorities are getting a little carried away to call it priceless.
Maybe next time they should ask some specialists (there are plenty at the Hugoye list) for an evaluation before they make the announcement. I know, I know, that's crazy talk.
