Microanalysis of the plaster surface would settle the matter. If this table was used in a scriptorium there will be microscopic traces of ink, perhaps even animal hide and papyrus microfibers. There could be indentations from writing in the plaster..but there WILL be trace elements of scribal activity IF it was used for that purpose. It would have been inevitable after years of use.
Surface analysis methodologies has been one of the most rapid areas of technological advance. X-ray fluorescence and diffraction, laser diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, reflectometry and photoemission methods lead lists of dozens of non-destructive techniques.
These traces will settle whether or not there was a "scriptorium" and the word wont have to be put in quotation marks any more by authors writing books and papers concerning Qumran and L30. I remember Stephen Goranson's aticle in BAR regarding scribal activity at Qumran..what? 10 years ago?
SURELY this has been done by now. It would be scientifically negligent otherwise. Does anyone know?
Jack Kilmon
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