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[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Simatua, this approach that you outline is one, perhaps valid, approach for a purely physical object.

For example, glass paper weights, or kerosene lamps.

However, the keris is not a purely physical object, it is a cultural icon and the physical representation of a spiritual idea.

As such it needs a similar type of approach as does research into the Christian Bible, or Al Quran.

It is the human involvement behind the physical object that is relevant, not quite so much the physical object itself, however, without the physical object, the academic research can be more than a little difficult.

The approach of the keris collector who sees only the physical object can possibly be aligned with the approach of the librarian who sees only the illuminated manuscript, but does not attempt to understand the essence of the holy words contained within that manuscript.

I am not saying there is no need for the physical approach, but in the case of the keris this approach is a severely limiting one.