13th September 2005, 01:49 PM
The cake, the whole cake and nothing but the cake - an interim report
We have now begun proper analysis of the consumption of the cake and have determined that it may not be as unique as initially thought. However, this will have to await analysis of the cake residues and the fudge sauce residues. In the meantime we have determined that the cake was approximately 30cm in diameter and consisted of 4 layers, examination of which was hindered by flooding with fudge sauce. This means that the stratigraphy of the cake was difficult to see. However, we are fairly convinced at this stage that the cake construction was a single event comprising the initial placing of a soft, moderately friable dark brown (10YR2/2) sponge base on a solid foundation of cake stand. A sponge top was cemented to the sponge base with a soft dark brown chocolate cream layer and the whole structure was plastered with hard dark brown chocolate icing, producing a rather pleasing aesthetic effect. Current theories about the cake suggest that it may have been an indicator of status, or possibly a territorial boundary. We are now looking for parallels with which to compare the cake and shall be conducting further research into the subject. Our Danish pastry specialist has suggested that further research should include a control group of cinnamon swirls against which we can measure the results of the cake analysis. If anyone can suggest sources of research funding for this project, we would be very grateful.
Cheers,
Eggbasket
Don't have a stegosaurus, man.
We have now begun proper analysis of the consumption of the cake and have determined that it may not be as unique as initially thought. However, this will have to await analysis of the cake residues and the fudge sauce residues. In the meantime we have determined that the cake was approximately 30cm in diameter and consisted of 4 layers, examination of which was hindered by flooding with fudge sauce. This means that the stratigraphy of the cake was difficult to see. However, we are fairly convinced at this stage that the cake construction was a single event comprising the initial placing of a soft, moderately friable dark brown (10YR2/2) sponge base on a solid foundation of cake stand. A sponge top was cemented to the sponge base with a soft dark brown chocolate cream layer and the whole structure was plastered with hard dark brown chocolate icing, producing a rather pleasing aesthetic effect. Current theories about the cake suggest that it may have been an indicator of status, or possibly a territorial boundary. We are now looking for parallels with which to compare the cake and shall be conducting further research into the subject. Our Danish pastry specialist has suggested that further research should include a control group of cinnamon swirls against which we can measure the results of the cake analysis. If anyone can suggest sources of research funding for this project, we would be very grateful.
Cheers,
Eggbasket
Don't have a stegosaurus, man.