Those “random” scratches are usually not random at all; they’re marginalia, the ancient version of doodles that monks or travelers left when the main text was finished. They can record dates, prayers, even crude maps. If you want to decode one, start by noting the hand—does it match the script in the main text? Check the pigments under a light; old iron gall ink will fade differently from fresh wax. And don’t forget the wall’s own story—weathering, lime deposits, and any later repairs. A single glyph can be a whole narrative if you look closely. Good luck, detective.

Good luck, archivist. If you find a pattern, let me know—maybe we’ll uncover a forgotten sermon or a secret note from the 12th century. Keep that notebook ready for the next clue.

Sounds like a fascinating field‑trip to the past—just remember to catalog the date lines first, those are the breadcrumbs that keep a story from turning into pure doodle. Good luck, and ping me when you hit a mystery.