Dot Porter wrote:
> Dear list,
> 
> In recent discussion, a few of us were trying to come up with a method
> for indicating fakes in msDesc - either fake text on a "real" object
> ("real ancient object, say an altar, with a forged text inscribed on
> it in the 20th century"), or a complete forgery. We came up with a few
> ideas (adding an attribute to <origin>, or some constrained element
> therein, for a fake object, or something in <msItem> for fake text),
> but nothing very satisfying. Have others on the list dealt with this,
> or any ideas on how to do it?

The point, if I understand correctly, with a fake object in these senses 
that it is purporting to be (partly) of one date which it in fact isn't?

So for example, with a medieval manuscript where I have painstakingly 
written a new text on a blank (or newly blank) page in an attempt to 
later discover this source which then supposedly proves some terribly 
important thing one way or another.  In that case, I'd create the msDesc 
reflecting the medieval manuscript but with that one msItem with the 
proper origdate (of say, last tuesday).  The msItem would, one assumes 
provide additional discussion of the false nature of that item.

I suppose it becomes more problematic when the forgery isn't a complete 
distinct item, but an erasure and forged rewriting of portions of a 
particular document.  In that case is it a <subst>?

Interesting question, I'm sure others will have much better answers.

-James
-- 
Dr James Cummings, Research Technologies Service, University of Oxford
James dot Cummings at oucs dot ox dot ac dot uk