Egypt’s use of papyrus to keep records was probably similar to their ancient contemporaries, but Egyptian conditions are conducive to their preservation. Even so, over 99 percent of them vanished long ago. It’s nice when they emerge. Some few years ago, one turned up which apparently has the signature of Cleopatra VII — better known as Cleopatra. :’)
http://www.google.com/search?q=oxyrhychus+site%3Afreerepublic.com
YOIKS! I could have commented but it was two years old. I mean, who knew?
I know that things disintigrate, but I also know that other things that SHOULD disintigrate are still intact, in various states of decomposition. This, I believe, is not an accident. It is far too important to be hidden forever, so it is given to us when we need the reassurance of our beliefs in the history of who and what we are.
Every iota of knowledge of the past that we can glean is a powerful weapon against ignorance and fear. And religion doesn’t have to be involved. It’s all there: We just have to find it.
Things change. Life goes on.