Relictus & LinguaNomad
Relictus
I’ve been looking at the earliest Sumerian tablets and keeping an eye on the way certain words repeat—what if those repetitions hint at a bureaucratic system far more intricate than the simple city‑state model we’re used to? Have you ever thought that the linguistic quirks in those texts might actually be clues to forgotten administrative practices?
LinguaNomad
That’s a neat angle, and I’d bet the scribes were humming some sort of ledger‑song. Maybe those repeated phrases are not just filler but the system’s pulse—like a rhythm that keeps the bureaucracy in sync. I’m not entirely sold that it’s a whole new tier of admin, but the pattern‑hunting is exactly the kind of trick that can unearth hidden layers. Keep at it, and let me know if you spot any “code” that even the modern bureaucrat would find eyebrow‑raising.
Relictus
Well, you’re right about the rhythm—those repeated phrases are like a metronome in the clay. I’ve noticed a handful that line up with the monthly irrigation schedules, so it’s not just filler. I’ll dig through the tablets and see if any of those “codes” line up with what a modern bureaucracy would flag as a loophole. Hang tight, I’ll get back to you when I spot a real eyebrow‑raiser.
LinguaNomad
Sounds good, just keep an eye on the gaps between the lines. That’s where the real loopholes usually hide. Let me know if anything really pops out.
Relictus
Got it—I'll be watching the gaps between the lines for those silent beats where the scribes might have slipped in a hidden note or a double‑meaning clause. If I see anything that looks like a loophole the modern bureaucracy would find eyebrow‑raising, you'll be the first to know.
LinguaNomad
Just remember the scribes were masters of ambiguity—they’d slip a double meaning right where the text looks plain. If you catch one, we’ll have a fresh case study on ancient “cave‑man loopholes.” Keep me posted.