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Avry
Why is it so hard for you to grasp that an analysis of how the paint was applied gives no indication of when it was painted nor by whom. It is a non-sequitur study. Useless!

That is correct. Jon's study does not answer those questions. If you seek answers to those questions, it will be useless to you. I see it as raw data and how it is applied is an individual's choice. I don't know how Scott applies it, but obviously it is useful to him.

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A. it must be a modern hand that wrote it
B. it must be an ancient hand that wrote it

Neither A nor B are practical solutions

I'm not sure what you mean by that. If it could be determined whether a modern or ancient hand had drawn it, it would indeed be a practical solution to a problem I see. But then, your mind is firmly set and you do not see a problem that needs a solution. So to say whether it is or is not a "practical solution" depends on the problem posed.