The Statures of Elves and Men: Changes

[arathorn]

Originally Posted by Galin

Just to add to Tar-Elenion's work here, something 'newer' revealed by Hammond and Scull...





The Numenoreans...





The problem is, I've no idea if these notes published by Hammond and Scull are earlier or later than the late statement from Of Dwarves And Men (in which the Eldar seem generally taller); and I'm not sure, so far, if there's any way to tell.

Although we must not forget that both sentences can fit just fine if we consider that "seldom less" and "no less" indicate a minimum rather than average like you are suggesting .
Anyway I agree that sentence may have more than one interpretation but why should we care about the one it's conflicted if both are of late dates and the other can fit perfectly??