Sunday, July 05, 2009

A Pizza of a Puzzle

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While we were enjoying a lunch together after the Saturday session at ISBL in Rome, a curious thing happened. One of those at lunch received what we dubbed a "Pizza Lacunae" as you can see in this picture.


The puzzle is to discern where the missing piece is at. We decided that it was not in Peter Head's office, although that was a quick suggestion. Last I heard, the missing piece was on its way to London, which is enough of a hint for now. Needless to say we had a great time of fellowship at ISBL! And special thanks go to Tommy for how he led the group and arranged for the viewing at the library.

In Christ,

Bill Warren

2 comments

  1. Given the recent history of new uncial finds, I would say the most likely destiny of the missing fragment was that it was used to pad the crust of another pizza.

    The problem, then, is how to identify the missing fragment if it does turn up. There are no experts in the study of idiosyncratic pizza-crust making. It may come down to a search for DNA residue, to make sure the two crusts were spun by the same hand.

    Other questions arise. Was this excision the result of a correction--perhaps a novice started to apply the wrong topping, but was caught by the chef, who excised the erroneous section? Was it the result of a sleepy prep worker with poor hand-eye coordination and an extra-sharp knife? Or perhaps the oven was too hot at that spot and the area now missing was burned beyond recognition.

    If the past history of uncial discoveries is any guide, I would recommend looking for the missing fragment in the pizzaria's dustbin, especially if it is located in the basement. You may even have to pry up some floor boards to find it, but time is of the essence; "oldest and best" definitely does not apply to pizza fragments.

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  2. I suggest checking Pete's office again.

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