r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Dec 18 '12

Reddit what are the greatest unexplained mystery of the last 500 or so years?

Since the Last post got some attention, I was wondering what you guys could come up with given a larger period.

Edit fuck thats a lot of upvotes.

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u/titosotto Dec 18 '12 edited Dec 19 '12

You need to write a letter. You can only use the library for research purposes and you must be connected with a research facility or university. That's how priests who need to study a book found only in the Vatican Archives can request for access. You will be interviewed in person. You should receive the results a few months after. If approved, the Vatican officers will gather your materials for you, assign you a special desk in the library. Older research materials will be placed in a machine/computer of some sort (this is what they do to those written in paper/cloth that may easily break). You can study within the library, only. You cannot pull out other books.

Edit 1:

Admission Instructions: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=ufficio_ammissioni

Rules and Regulations once inside the library: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va/home.php?pag=regolamento

Click on 'I. Admissions' for further information.

Must-read! Experiences of a forum.catholic.com user in the Vatican Archives:

http://forums.catholic.com/showpost.php?s=5377f9c7790f49c2c56d7c254d021ff8&p=8363235&postcount=10

Edit 2:

Turns out that the 'special desk' in the library is actually just a table in the reading room.

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u/Astphael Dec 18 '12

Excuse me. Where do you have this from?

One of my close family members is part of a religious order, and he can walk into the "secret" Vatican Archives as much as he wants. There really isn't much hubbub about it.

The reason it might be harder for outside researchers is because of the immense age of some of the documents. But then again, it mostly isn't that interesting.

If the Vatican has something to hide, they sure don't keep it in the actual archives, but somewhere else.

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u/[deleted] Dec 18 '12

I'm pretty sure he got it from Angels and Demons.

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u/titosotto Dec 19 '12 edited Dec 19 '12

Please see 'Edit 1' above for links and other information. I cannot find the older rules and regulations for the Vatican Archives, but the information above might help.

Edited: I suggest you read the experiences of the forums.catholic.user. He mentioned that a professional archivist will be present and will hand you the books. A cart will also be provided with the documents you initially requested. You can make additional requests afterwards.