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Ion beam analysis (IBA) is an established method to determine the concentration and the distribution of elements in art and archaeological objects. However, especially for organic specimens, caution must be taken to avoid harmful effects. In this work, the possible modification of recent calf parchment samples by proton beam irradiation was investigated applying fluences (given as deposited charge per unit area) both within and beyond the usual analytical practice. Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) were employed to assess changes, inspected from the surface of the samples. Although both techniques are apt to detect alterations of parchment in general, in the case of particles, which deposit the majority of their energy below the surface these techniques could not detect changes at low fluences. However, a simple "bath test" (short immersion in liquid) proved that disintegration within the material had already happened. After the "bath test", OCT and digital 3D microscopy were used to check the discontinuities in the material, especially for low fluences when the visual inspection might have missed them. Unfortunately, simply monitoring organic objects such as parchment during or after ion beam irradiation, non-destructively, is not sufficient to claim absolute harmlessness, as some studies in the past did. In line with our former findings using electron microscopy on cross sections, we found that 2.3 MeV protons with a deposited charge of 0.5 µC/cm2 caused no changes affecting the integrity of parchment but 2 µC/cm2 apparently did under the applied experimental conditions. To ensure the required analytical signal at a relatively low deposited charge, the detection system must be optimized for efficiency. Nevertheless, since the variability of the historic materials and the measurement set-ups are considerable, these values cannot be taken as absolutes, but only as guides, both for further IBA studies and for studies conducted in the past. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The General Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Community of Madrid has requested a report from the Royal Academy of History on the possible declaration as a Cultural Heritage of the original document of the royal provision granting heraldic arms to the discoverer Christopher Columbus, granted by the Catholic Monarchs in Barcelona in June 1493. The report highlights that the document is a parchment with a polychrome coat of arms and dimensions of 435 by 275 mm. The parchment records the granting of a coat of arms to Columbus and his descendants as a reward for his services after his first voyage to the Indies. The report recommends declaring the document as a Monument of Cultural Interest due to its historical and architectural relevance. [Extracted from the article]

The article describes the discovery of two new fragments of an 11th-century sermon book in the National Historical Archive. The fragments were found in a document from the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla, dated 1514. The fragments are made of parchment and are in good condition. A detailed examination of the fragments has been carried out, which show round Visigothic handwriting without Carolingian influences. The fragment of a Liber Sermonum from the 11th century presents paleographic characteristics similar to other manuscripts from the Castilian-Riojan area of the same period. The capital letters follow the model of Roman capitals with some adaptations. Different punctuation marks and abbreviations typical of Visigothic writing are used. Comparing the graphic characters with other Emilianense manuscripts, a total match was found with the Liber Comminus, copied in 1073 by Abbot Pedro of the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla. This suggests that the fragment could also have been produced in that monastery. The studied fragment is a Liber commicus similar to codex 47 of the Library of the Royal Academy of History. It is believed that the writing of the fragment is closer to that of Abbot Pedro. The fragment contains two sermons, one by Saint Caesarius of Arles and another anonymous, which have already been published. The fragment belonged to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla and is similar to the Silense codex. In addition, other Visigothic fragments are mentioned in the National Historical Archive. The text provides information about two new fragments of a Liber sermonum from the monastery of San Millán, which is currently not preserved. These fragments consist of two sermons, one by Saint Caesarius of Arles and another anonymous. Although the text does not offer any novelty, its importance lies in the fact that no other copy of this work is known, except for the one mentioned in the former library of the monastery of Silos, now in the British Library in London. It is unknown when the dismemberment of the Emilianense codex took place, but it is estimated to have occurred before 1516, according to the date of a document to which the fragments were sewn. The preservation of these two fragments raises the question of whether the codex was completely dismembered or only some of its pages. The text mentions that, unfortunately, the practice of destroying fragments from monasteries was common, as has been demonstrated in other monasteries. It is mentioned that no more fragments were found in the National Historical Archive, so only the documents preserved in the archive of San Millán remain to be reviewed. It is mentioned that the codices from the library of San Millán were sent to Burgos in 1821 and then to the Royal Academy of History in 1851. Most of these codices are located in the Royal Academy of History, and the rest are in other institutions. [Extracted from the article]

This article re-examines the material reconstruction of the copies of 4QWords of Ezekiel olim 4QPseudo Ezekiel (4Q385 and 4Q386) via the use of digital tools and the Stegemann method. The findings evince that 4Q385 frgs. 2, 3, and 6 share the same deterioration patterns, suggesting that they originated in consecutive columns. The new sequence of the visions that emerge is as follows: "accelerating time" (4Q385 4), the divine merkabah (4Q385 6), and the resurrection of the dry bones (4Q385 2 + 3). 4Q385b is tentatively identified a replacement sheet. In light of the material differences in the parchment, top-margin height, and orthography, 4Q385b most likely belonged to the beginning of the composition—as per Qimron, although on different grounds. This material proposal establishes the name of the composition as 4QWords of Ezekiel. The reconstruction is followed by a transcription of the discussed fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bishop Sigebert of Minden (1022–36) commissioned nine liturgical books that include three extraordinary portraits of their patron. Each has served as an example of its specific liturgical and visual contexts, but they have rarely been imagined alongside one another. Inspired by the unusual presentation of Sigebert's portraits together in the exhibition Für Königtum und Himmelreich (Paderborn, 2009), I will argue that they are best understood as iterative aspects of a complete commission. Rather than repetitive, honorific re-presentations of a specific historical figure, the portraits should be seen as a series of thresholds through which Sigebert and his successors entered into the sacred space of the liturgy. Shaped by the development of liturgical iconographies of episcopal authority and heightened by changes in clerical education that emphasized the physical body as representative of inner virtue, the portraits will be shown to exemplify the process of becoming a good bishop. I will suggest that they worked as a series of pictorial rubrics, directing the attention of the bishop celebrant and his assistants as they enacted, uttered, and imagined the texts and rites of the liturgy. The bishop's body carved in ivory and painted on vellum offered a pathway to the divine and a reiterative re-presentation of the relationship between the Church and the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycaprolactone (PCL) bionanocomposites reinforced with microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), either plain or modified with 2 wt% of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, were first time developed for possible application as multifunctional packing. The MFC was obtained by an alkali treatment, a steam explosion process, and ZnO modification applied to parchment (PAR), a husk waste from the coffee industry. X-ray diffraction (XDR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile tests, and CO2 permeability characterized the MFCs and the bionanocomposites. As for the MCFs, the crystallinity index of 50.6% measured by XRD for the plain PAR fiber increases with the combined alkaline treatment and steam explosion (CFA/EXP) to 68.2%, and further with ZnO modification (ZnO-CFA/EXP) to 80.1%. TGA/DTG displays a rising onset of thermal degradation from 214 to 306 °C, as well as maximum degradation rate from 330 to 350 °C, for PAR and ZnO-CFA/EXP, respectively. Regarding the nanocomposites, the addition of 3 wt% of alkali/steam explosion and ZnO-modified CFA/EXP contributes to enhancing thermal stability. Tensile tests disclosed improved mechanical properties of the novel nanocomposites as compared to the PCL matrix. In particular, Young's modulus rose from 88.5 to 169.5 MPa for the plain PCL and PCL reinforced with 3(ZnO-CFA/EXP), respectively. SEM images evidenced the participation of cellulose micro and nanofibrils in the PCL matrix. Approximately 20% reduction in the CO2 permeability coefficient of both PCL and its 3CFA/EXP nanocomposite compared with 3(ZnO-CFA/EXP) proved that the ZnO nanoparticles provide a gas barrier to the nanocomposite, a convenient property for food packing.

[Display omitted] • Reuse music medieval parchments contain rare finds of lost local music tradition of great musicological interest. • Combining paleographic analysis with scientific investigation helps to recovery dating, provenance, origin, and attribution of reused manuscripts. • Selected noninvasive and portable photographic and spectrochemical techniques help increase the readability of texts and identify writing materials. • Comparing the relative ratios of the chemical elements of medieval inks can confirm the attribution of different manuscripts to the same original volume and differentiate the stages of writing. In this research, we analyzed two handwritten music parchments, dated back between the late 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century, using non-invasive multiband (MBI) and reflectance transformation imaging (RTI), portable Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (p-XRF), and External Reflection FTIR spectrometry (ER-FTIR). The two parchments were discovered in different libraries in Northern Italy, in Milan and Pavia, respectively, as covers of paper books (a manuscript and a printed book). Since the findings represent a valuable evidence of rare Lombard polyphonic music of the late Middle Ages, they have aroused great musicological and philological interest leading to the fusion of humanistic disciplines with multiple analytical set-ups to get insights into their story. The paleographic, stylistic, and musical similarity of the two manuscripts raised questions about their origin: whether the two fragments were originally part of the same musical manuscript disassembled at a later period and reused as book covers, and whether different portions of the manuscripts were written at different stages of time. The study addressed the origin of the parchments through the non-invasive spectrochemical and superficial characterization of the inks and parchment substrate. The results of the proposed multi-analytical approach proved effective and reliable in the morphological and chemical distinction of medieval inks from inks applied in later periods and identifying parchment manufacturing processes and degradation products. In addition, relative ratios Cu/Fe and Zn/Cu were used as fingerprints for black inks confirming the common origin of the two medieval musical manuscripts and the writing of different portions of the manuscripts using the same ink, likely within a short period. Overall, this study highlights not only the synergic contribution of a multidisciplinary approach, but also limitations and analytical strategies to overcome critical drawbacks in the analysis of historical manuscripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial from the journal Restaurator emphasizes the importance of preserving and conserving manuscripts as valuable records of history and culture. It highlights the need for collaboration between the fields of natural science and the humanities to develop effective strategies for conservation. The editorial presents a collection of scientific papers that explore different methodologies and approaches to understanding the materiality of manuscripts. The hope is that these contributions will inspire new collaborations and advancements in the field of written heritage conservation. [Extracted from the article]

In this work, the application of nanodiamond (ND)‐composites and dispersions as consolidating agents for parchment substrates has been studied. Different nanocomposites and ND‐based dispersions have been tested showing very promising results and making ND a potential high‐performance additive in the field of restoration. The effect of ND treatment on parchment has been evaluated by analyzing the variations in the parchment denaturation temperature, with respect to the untreated samples, by means of the Light Transmission Analysis (LTA), before and after artificial aging. The hydrolysis/gelatinization degree of the collagen molecule has also been analyzed by means of the Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform IR (FTIR‐ATR) spectroscopy on the same samples investigated by LTA. ND composites, at certain concentrations, seem to improve the structural stability of the collagen networking, contrasting the thermo‐hygrometrically induced aging. Therefore, ND has confirmed to be a promising material to be applied for the restoration and conservation of Cultural Heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1701, the Cotton Library became Britain's first nationally owned manuscript collection, before entering the newly instituted British Museum in 1757. In the intervening years it was threatened by damp, neglect, inadequate organization, and a fire that wrought havoc on its material's survival. Through a detailed analysis of the content, form and language of contemporary inventories and catalogues, this essay explores how the library could sustain a hybrid identity as both a durable, nationally significant repository and a precarious assemblage of fragile paper and parchment during the eighteenth century. Analysing the ways in which custodians of the Cotton Library articulated their work reveals a historically repeating narrative of neglect, loss and recovery that echoed from the collection's seventeenth-century inception to the major restoration work carried out in the mid-nineteenth century. Instrumental in shaping the Cotton Library's identities, as well as how the discipline of antiquarianism perceived itself, this dialectic of preservation depended on, and was threatened by, the eroding forces of time's teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engagement with Christian manuscripts – Eastern and Western – and with ancient and rare printed books makes evident a growing interest in material and codicological aspects of our book heritage. In other words, it evinces an emerging curiosity about the non-textual realities of books – at least of ancient books. This shift is particularly true for manuscript studies. The question of materiality remains unavoidable, however, even today, when we decide to edit a book in hard copy along with electronic or digital versions. As has always been the case, there is a direct correlation between the quality of materials used, the production/confection techniques and the external appearance of a book. Normally, one would not expect to find the finest inks, paper or parchment in the hands of less-skilled scribes or illuminators. This article sets alongside immediate material aspects corresponding, and usually expensive, issues like sewing and binding techniques, layout (mise-en-page) and decoration. They too condition our assessment – even unconsciously – when we meet religious books.

Abstract Historic legal deeds are one of the most abundant resources in British archives, but also one of the most neglected. Despite the millions that survive, we know remarkably little about their manufacture, including the species of animal on which they were written. Here we present the species identification of 645 sixteenth–twentieth century skins via peptide mass fingerprinting (ZooMS), demonstrating the preferential use of sheepskin parchment. We argue that alongside their abundance and low cost, the use of sheepskins over those of other species was motivated by the increased visibility of fraudulent text erasure and modification afforded by the unique structure of their skin.

Parchment is one of the most abundant resources in archives across the world and is a unique time-sensitive material through which centuries of livestock economies, trade and craft can be explored. We examine the impact of structural and chemical modifications during production to δ13C and δ15N values in the skin, particularly the removal of cutaneous keratins and lipids and the conversion of amide functional groups into carboxyl groups via alkaline hydrolysis. Through the manufacture of 51 parchment skins (sheep, goat, calf and pig) using both historic and modern manufacturing techniques, we found production resulted in a small enrichment in 13C (average +0.12‰) and 15N (+0.26‰). Our results pave the way for the isotopic analysis of parchment in paleodietary and paleoenvironmental studies for the historic period and establish the acceptable C:N ratios in deamidated collagenous tissues.

The article aims to establish a brief history of the transmission of Greco-Roman texts, addressing the materials that supported their writing. The most common artifacts used will be verified, such as ceramics, papyrus, and parchment rolls, the making of the codex, the innovation of paper, the revolution of Gutenberg's printing press and the dissemination of books, and, finally, the electronic text stored in more recent computational artifacts. Thus, it is proposed to describe the changes in text reproduction and the insertion of digital technologies in classical studies, resulting in digital editions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

98 Price, N 2015, ' From Ginnungagap to the Ragnarök: archaeologies of the Viking worlds ', in U Pedersen, M Moen, I Axelsen et al (eds), Viking Worlds: Things, Spaces and Movement, Oxford: Oxbow, 1 - 10. 99 Price, N 2019, The Viking Way: Magic and Mind in Late Iron Age Scandinavia, Oxford/Philadelphia: Oxbow. THE PETRIFIED BOOK - THE JELLING STONE The impact of both insular and continental manuscripts on Viking society and art has been discussed previously; for example, the arrangement and the iconography of the carvings on the Bamberg Casket (Germany) have been understood as a reflection and interpretation of Christian thinking, as expressed in the Gospels.[39] However, without any doubt the best example of the impact of books on Viking art is found in king Harald Bluetooth's rune stone, raised at Jelling in c 965 (Fig 3). The majority of both populations were probably illiterate or at least semi-literate and no watertight compartments confined to either oral and literacy existed.[121] Even in the post-Viking Age, an oral-written continuum prevailed.[122] The eventual success of Christianity in Scandinavia and its form of literacy in the Viking world can be described as a contributing factor to the destruction of Viking orality and spirituality, but it was also merged with and added to existing belief systems. [Extracted from the article]

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This is the second part of a two-part article focused on a fragmentary parchment codex, whose three extant leaves, designated in Leo Depuydt's catalogue as P.MorganLib. 265, are housed at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York. These fragments bear witness to 1 Cor 2.12–3.18; 7.16–30; 15.3–30 in the 'classical' variety of Fayyūmic Coptic (dialect F5). The first part of this article was published in NTS 68 (2022) 89–104. In the second part, I discuss the witnesses to the Fayyūmic version (fa) of First Corinthians, the relationship between fa and the Bohairic version (bo), and the text-critical value of the variant readings attested in P.MorganLib. 265. This is followed by the editio princeps of the manuscript, notes on the Coptic text, an English translation and images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some historical parchments belong to the cultural heritage of humankind and possess invaluable historical significance. Therefore, development of simple and reliable methods for parchment characterization and animal species identification is of importance. Multiphoton electron extraction spectroscopy (MEES) is a new analytical method for characterization of surfaces, and this is its first application to biomaterials in general and to parchments in particular. When comparing MEES of various parchments, it was found that the spectral intensity of historical parchments was significantly higher, and the main peak was broader than for the modern and artificially aged specimens. Gaussian fitting of the spectra indicated the presence of six peaks for modern and historical samples at nearly the same positions. Significant spectral differences between historical and modern samples were clearly observed. Animal species identification (calf, sheep and goat) was also possible, based on MEES analysis of modern parchments (grain side). Correlations to the electrical conductivity of the samples were also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artist's book, Families Separated and Detained at the Border, features 10 cyanotypes that visually communicate messages about being detained and separated. The cyanotypes, presented in sheer vellum envelopes, are reminiscent of postcards that one might mail home. However, the haunting imagery suggests the story is not about a vacation, but rather, a desperate situation. The cyanotypes are flanked by a front and back cover using idealistic family imagery. The metal cage and quick links create a strong visual statement in an attempt to document the outrage, sadness, and helplessness the artist feels about thousands of asylum-seekers being held in inhumane conditions at the US/Mexico border. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution a fourteenth-century fragment (Leiden, UB, BPL 2387 D) of Jacob van Maerlant's Historie van Troyen (ca. 1264) is edited for the first time. The fragment is written by the Brabantine Ferguut-scribe and consists of two parchment strips that belonged to the same folio. The sixty - mostly remnants of - verses are situated in a passage that Maerlant borrowed from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Until now this passage was known only through the Wissen manuscript, the only fully surviving manuscript of the Historie van Troyen (Brussel, KBR, IV 927). An analysis of the variants and comparison with the Latin source text show that in the Wissen codex this passage is highly corrupt. Previous research suggested that the Leiden fragment belonged to a manuscript that included two other texts of the Ferguut-scribe as well: Alexanders geesten (Stuttgart, Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Donaueschingen 173) and Roman van Cassamus (Brussel, KBR, 18.228). However, some deviations in the execution of the Leiden fragment and the foliation of the Cassamus-fragment cast doubt on this hypothesis. The Leiden fragment is probably the only remnant of yet another manuscript by the Ferguut-scribe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Late Antique manuscripts; Late Antique parchment; parchment-making; parchment conservation; epidermis; belly button repair; Vienna Dioscorides; visual analyses; Spätantike Handschriften; spätantikes Pergament; Pergamentherstellung; Pergamentkonservierung; Epidermis; Bauchnabel-Reparatur; Wiener Dioskurides; visuelle Analysen EN Late Antique manuscripts Late Antique parchment parchment-making parchment conservation epidermis belly button repair Vienna Dioscorides visual analyses DE Spätantike Handschriften spätantikes Pergament Pergamentherstellung Pergamentkonservierung Epidermis Bauchnabel-Reparatur Wiener Dioskurides visuelle Analysen 93 110 18 07/18/22 20220301 NES 220301 1 Introduction Most of us are familiar with fine parchment used for written and often opulently decorated medieval manuscripts, for example the famous Bible of king Wenceslaus IV from 1390 (Austrian National Library, Cod. 2759-2764) written in Prague on skilfully prepared calf parchment. Late Antique parchment, Late Antique manuscripts, parchment-making, epidermis, belly button repair, Vienna Dioscorides, visual analyses, parchment conservation (c) Epidermis patch completely covered by the illumination on the hair side of the parchment, folio 2v (d) Identical epidermis patch seen from the flesh side of the parchment, folio 2r. 3.3 Epidermis Patches in Late Byzantine and Greek Manuscripts Parchment of later Byzantine and especially Greek manuscripts from the 10th - 13th centuries differs from the quality of the parchment used in early Byzantine manuscripts, but also shows certain similar characteristics. [Extracted from the article]

Investigating the Properties of Folded Parchment - A Preliminary Study. [Extracted from the article]

Non-Invasive Physico-Chemical and Biological Analysis of Parchment Manuscripts - An Overview. [Extracted from the article]

2.2 Nanoparticle Formulations and Application Procedure Nanoparticle formulations were designed and synthesised by the partners involved in the NANOforArt project and comprised calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate nanoparticles dispersed in propan-2-ol or cyclohexane ([2]; [26], [27]; [32]). In Figure 3, the plot of elastic modulus ( I E' i ) versus RH is presented for control untreated, and nanoparticle treated samples as measured by Controlled Environment Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA-RH). Similar nanoparticle formulations were also applied on leather showing the same positive effects: accelerated thermal ageing proved to induce more damage to untreated leather sample compared to CaCO SB 3 sb -treated sample and aged treated sample ([2]; [26]). Keywords: parchment; conservation treatment; alkaline nanoparticles; pH adjustment; Pergament; konservatorische Behandlung; alkalische Nanopartikel; pH-Einstellung EN parchment conservation treatment alkaline nanoparticles pH adjustment DE Pergament konservatorische Behandlung alkalische Nanopartikel pH-Einstellung 143 158 16 07/18/22 20220301 NES 220301 1 Introduction Materials and practices used in the past for the conservation treatment of parchment have been proven to lead to unwanted alterations and major changes ([19]; [10]). [Extracted from the article]

Documents, reconstituted parchment, authenticity, dyed parchment, parchment binding, leather dyes, pastels Keywords: dyed parchment; parchment binding; documents; reconstituted parchment; leather dyes; pastels; authenticity; gefärbtes Pergament; Pergamenteinband; Urkunden; rekonstituiertes Pergament; Lederfarben; Pastellfarben; Authentizität EN dyed parchment parchment binding documents reconstituted parchment leather dyes pastels authenticity DE gefärbtes Pergament Pergamenteinband Urkunden rekonstituiertes Pergament Lederfarben Pastellfarben Authentizität 35 52 18 07/18/22 20220301 NES 220301 1 Historical Review Dyed parchment in codices and documents is a rare commodity in libraries and archives and consequently on conservators' work benches. 6.3 Dyeing the Pulp When dyeing hide powder suspensions, leather dyes are more suitable than pastel powder or natural pigments ([10]). 6 Descriptions of Colouring Techniques 6.1 Colouring with Pastels Pastels are pigment-based crayons that are usually applied in a dry manner. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: calcium phytate; gelatine; parchment; iron gall ink corrosion; bathophenanthroline; ATR-FTIR spectroscopy; Calciumphytat; Gelatine; Pergament; Tintenfraß; Bathophenathrolin; ATR-FTIR-Spektroskopie EN calcium phytate gelatine parchment iron gall ink corrosion bathophenanthroline ATR-FTIR spectroscopy DE Calciumphytat Gelatine Pergament Tintenfraß Bathophenathrolin ATR-FTIR-Spektroskopie 73 92 20 07/18/22 20220301 NES 220301 1 Introduction Iron gall ink (IGI) corrosion on paper has long been recognised as an imminent threat to cultural heritage. These are relevant for the treatment of parchment for the following reasons: Phytic acid may react directly with free iron ions without having to exchange calcium ions as in the calcium phytate complex. Nevertheless, there are cases of parchment degradation by IGIs: [3] found in artificially aged parchment prepared with iron gall ink, in addition to the migration of sulphate ions, significant differences in the shrinkage temperature of up to 15.5 °C as well as clear signs of denaturation by ATR-FTIR analysis. After many decades of research in treating IGI corrosion on paper during the 20th century (for a comprehensive overview, see [26]), a method involving calcium phytate, the calcium salt of phytic acid, was introduced by [21], further developed and refined over subsequent years ([15]) and is now well-established for treatment of paper documents where it has proved effective in inhibiting both factors of IGI corrosion on paper. [Extracted from the article]

The purple dyes, inks, and pigments of the Vienna Genesis, the Codex Purpureus Petropolitanus, the Codex Sinopensis, and the Dagulf Psalter were analysed with Fibre Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS), spectrofluorimetry and µ-XRF and compared with reference material (Appendices 2 and 3). The shades of unaged and light aged parchment samples dyed with orchil resembled most of the tones of the Vienna Genesis (Figure 6). Based on a literature search and the results of the dye analysis ([3]) we selected orchil dyes (obtained from I Lasallia pustulata i and I Roccella tinctoria i species), folium (obtained from I Chrozophora tinctoria i fruit I s) i , and shellfish purple (obtained from I Hexaplex trunculus i snails I ). i The orchil dyes were applied by brush, cotton swab, and immersion in a bath. Keywords: parchment; orchil dye; Vienna Genesis; purple dyed parchment; Pergament; Flechtenfarbstoffe; Wiener Genesis; Purpurpergament EN parchment orchil dye Vienna Genesis purple dyed parchment DE Pergament Flechtenfarbstoffe Wiener Genesis Purpurpergament 3 33 31 07/18/22 20220301 NES 220301 1 Introduction The Vienna Genesis (Austrian National Library, Cod. theol. gr. 31) is an illuminated Greek manuscript written with silver ink on purple parchment. On the Vienna Genesis an orchil-based dye was identified as the main purple dye by Maria J. Melo and Maurizio Aceto with their respective teams ([2]). [Extracted from the article]

Two separate ways of applying formaldehyde to the sample pieces were tested: in the form of formaldehyde vapours, and by immersion. Collagenous material, leaf casting, formaldehyde, fibre suspension, parchment infills, Rekonstituiertes Pergament, Anfasern, Kaliumaluminiumsulfat, Fasersuspension, Pergamentergänzung, reconstituted parchment, potassium aluminium sulphate, Kollagen, Formaldehyd Since formaldehyde was available in a different concentration, 29.6 ml of the glutaraldehyde solution was used instead of the 40 ml of formaldehyde in the original recipe of Wouters et al. Keywords: reconstituted parchment; collagenous material; leaf casting; formaldehyde; potassium aluminium sulphate; fibre suspension; parchment infills; Rekonstituiertes Pergament; Kollagen; Anfasern; Formaldehyd; Kaliumaluminiumsulfat; Fasersuspension; Pergamentergänzung EN reconstituted parchment collagenous material leaf casting formaldehyde potassium aluminium sulphate fibre suspension parchment infills Rekonstituiertes Pergament Kollagen Anfasern Formaldehyd Kaliumaluminiumsulfat Fasersuspension Pergamentergänzung 53 71 19 07/18/22 20220301 NES 220301 1 Introduction In the conservation of paper, leaf casting is a widespread practice: An aqueous fibre suspension is used to fill in missing parts of paper; this can be done either by machine or by hand. [Extracted from the article]

While rapidly increasing numbers of online manuscript collections allow for unprecedented search capabilities and access to digital photographs, uncovering the interactions between codicology and artistic expression still requires certain traditional techniques for the evaluation of books as physical objects. Using case studies drawn from medieval Iberian bibles, this paper suggests that the study of layout should be approached multidimensionally: 1), one-dimensionally, as a series of data points, especially in light of manuscript metadata and improving visualization technologies; 2), two-dimensionally, as a ruling diagram that has implications even for pages without text; and 3), three-dimensionally, bearing in mind how the materiality of ruled parchment influences artists and how layouts extend throughout the codex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural collagen-based cultural relics such as parchment and leather are susceptible to the storage environment, including temperature, relative humidity, pollutants, and microorganisms, resulting in the deterioration of the main components of collagen, keratin, tannins, lipids, oils and tanning regents. Significant changes might occur in the appearance, composition and internal structure, accompanied by the impaired physical properties such as thermal stability, flexibility, and tensile strength. Biodeterioration is one of the main factors affecting the long-term storage of parchment and leather artifacts, particularly in environments with high relative humidity, due to the proliferation and growth of bacteria or fungi. This review focuses on the common microbial communities on the parchment and leather artifacts. The biodeterioration mechanism is discussed, which will shed light onto the future research of collagen-based cultural relics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the first effort to read inside a damaged codex using X-Ray micro-CT imaging, which has an additional complication beyond most unrolled scrolls, for which the process has been successful: there is writing on both sides. The project is a collaboration between a humanist, a team of computer scientists and engineers, as well as librarians and conservators, to undertake the x-ray micro-CT imaging of codex M.910, a fifth- or sixth-century parchment codex of Acts of the Apostles which is too damaged to open in its current state. The first round of image processing was conducted in December 2017 at the Morgan Library and Museum, and a second round in November 2019; work on restoring the text using machine learning is ongoing, and has already resulted in the identification of some words and phrases. We first describe codex M.910, including the basics of its codicology, and its potential significance for early Christian book culture, as well as the history of the biblical text. We then provide an overview of the manuscript imaging process, at a level of technical detail intended for a general audience, with the hope of providing a reference for future work in this expanding field of research. The key initial step was the preparation of the manuscript's mount, which had to take into account the necessities of both conservation safety and micro-CT imaging. We also break down the imaging process itself, which was carried out by Skyscan micro-CT scanner, donated for use in this project by Micro Photonics. Finally, we give a brief discussion of the ongoing preliminary data analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The parchment is an unparalleled writing medium, to which humanity is dependent on most of the written testimonies of our history and culture. Parchment is much more resistant to breakage and water action compared to papyrus, which was the quintessentially used writing material for the entire Greek and Latin world and the Near and Middle East since the third century AD. Parchment reached its peak during the Middle Ages, but then set slowly due to the advent of printing and the introduction in Europe of papermaking technology, a much more economical and suitable material for printing, but also much less durable. However, the use of parchment has not completely disappeared, it continues to be used for restoration, for diplomas and government documents (laws are still transcribed on parchment in the UK). The centers where parchment is still manufactured in Europe are only a few, and within the Bucharest Leather and Footwear Research Institute Division is the only place in Eastern Europe where this craft has been revived. In addition to the use of this material in the restoration activity, parchment is a necessity to make products with innovative design, strategic development of production to meet consumer preferences at affordable prices.

Abstract We report a simple histological study on skin biopsies from young domestic sheep following each step in transformation from skin to parchment production. During the recreation of historical parchment manufacture, histological analyses were conducted; before and after lime treatment, hair removal, and stretching. Sections were fixed and stained using a variety of histological stains to identify the presence of different molecular classes and the fibrous proteins, collagen and elastin. The results reveal surprisingly few histological changes in most steps in the production process. However, very visible changes in the supramolecular ordering of skin macromolecules (elastin, collagen) occur during the final stage of parchment production when stretched on the frame. Collagen fibres and hair follicles were all strongly re-oriented in the direction of strain. Surprisingly despite the thinness of the lambskin and the exhaustive treatment in lime, not all fats were saponified and even in the final product Oil Red O stained fat bodies were detectable on the hair side of the skin. We believe this study will help compensate for the lack of sources on microscopic changes in parchment during the recreation of its historical manufacture.

Most by-product wastes of the coffee industry are underutilized, including a fibrous husk that covers the coffee seeds, known as parchment. The present work aims to characterize the parchment fiber and to study the influence of alkaline treatment followed by a steam explosion process assisted by mechanical high shearing to obtain microfibrillated cellulose. The first step of this study was to quantify, using a three-steps methodology, the lignocellulosic constituents present in the parchment. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). From these results it was quantified around 22% of cellulose in the parchment. In sequence, alkaline treatment and steam explosion were performed to raise the cellulose content. The novelty of this work was to perform the steam explosion under relatively milder conditions, in order to produce microfibrillated cellulose with a high aspect ratio. It was observed by TGA an improvement in thermal stability and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) an increasing in the crystallinity. Finally, from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) it was verified that cellulose fibrils became more exposed, with diameters reaching micro and nanometric sizes. This ensures a potential for composite reinforcement with microfibrillated cellulose.

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The dataset contains the first-ever comprehensive biocodicological analysis of medieval library books and charters using Zooarchaeological Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS). Here, we analyze 68 codices and 59 charters (1490+59 samples in total) from one single monastic institution, namely the Cistercian abbey of Orval in present-day Belgium. The data entails both peptide mass fingerprinting (using MALDI-ToF) and peptide sequencing (using LC-MS/MS) analysis of almost the entire library and all the preserved single leaf charters from the monastery. MALDI-ToF data is stored in Zenodo – a multidisciplinary open access repository while the LC-MS/MS data is deposited in ProteomeXchange Consortium via PRIDE – a publicly available repository for MS-based proteomics data. Mass spectrometric data generated from an entire monastic library and archive is of immense value to integrate with multiple case studies aiming at understanding parchment production and use in medieval Europe. Paper linked with data: Ruffini-Ronzani, N., Nieus, J.F., Soncin, S., Hickinbotham, S., Dieu, M., Bouhy, J., Charles, C., Ruzzier, C., Falmagne, T., Hermand, X., Collins, M.J. and Deparis, O 2021. A biocodicological analysis of the medieval library and archive from Orval Abbey, Belgium. 'Royal Society Open Science, 8'(6), p.210210.

The high hygroscopicity and heterogeneity of parchment make it particularly sensitive to changes in environmental conditions. The proper housing of a historical parchment, including mounting should mitigate the impact of the changes on the object. However, finding an appropriate mounting method requires detailed knowledge of the mechanical response of a parchment on the combined influence from environmental changes and forces introduced by the mounting. In this paper we present the capabilities of 3D digital image correlation (3D DIC) method implemented for full-field, spatio-temporal monitoring of displacements and strains in parchment exposed to environmental changes. We combine the measurement concept with the particular, critical task of evaluating the effectiveness of stabilising a single sheet of parchment mounted using elastic polyester strips. 3D DIC is implemented to record in non-invasive and non-contact way the full-field response of parchment mock-ups to fluctuations of the relative humidity (RH) without interfering with the climatic chamber processes. We measure and compare the impact of fluctuating RH on unmounted and mounted parchment samples, through the full-field 3D measurements of dimensional changes at selected humidity levels, and through the local and global analysis of the samples' response (displacement/strains) in time. We had proven in quantitative and detailed way that the applied mount fully fulfils its task, namely reduce significantly the out-of-plane displacements and strains occurring in the parchment during RH changes in the range from 39 to 80%. Our study also demonstrates the possibilities of using 3D DIC for the efficient support of conservation scientists in the development of storage, mounting, and treatment protocols for historical parchment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the biofuel potential of raw coffee parchment and its pellets to supplement the energy demand of the cement industries of Ethiopia by characterizing their combustion characteristics and ash qualities for clinker production. The raw and pelletized coffee parchments were characterized for ultimate and proximate composition, calorific value, heavy metals, and ash oxides. The ultimate analysis confirmed higher carbon (45.5%) and hydrogen (6.5%) content and lower nitrogen (0.4%) and sulfur (0.1%) content in the pellets as compared to the commonly used biomass fuels. The moisture content (11.2%) and ash content (5.97%) of the pellets meet the ISO standard for non-wood pellets (ISO 17225–6, 2014). Pelletization of the coffee parchment enhanced the gross heating value of the biomass. The ash analysis revealed that the ash may supplement a sufficient amount of oxides of calcium, silica, aluminum, and iron required for clinker production. Overall, the results signify that coffee parchment and its pellets have suitable properties to be used as cheap, sustainable and eco-friendly bio-fuel for the cement industries of Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion beam analysis plays an important role in cultural heritage (CH) studies as it offers a combination of simultaneous and complementary analytical techniques (PIXE/PIGE/RBS) and spatially resolved mapping functions. Despite being considered non-destructive, the potential risk of beam-induced modifications during analysis is increasingly discussed. This work focuses on the impact of proton beams on parchment, present in our CH in form of unique historical manuscripts. Parchment is one of the organic, protein-based CH materials believed to be the most susceptible to radiation-induced changes. Various modification patterns, observed on parchment cross-sections by optical and electron microscopy are reported: discoloration (yellowing), formation of cavities and denaturation of collagen fibers. Considerable modifications were detected up to 100 µm deep into the sample for beam fluences of 4 µC/cm2 and higher. The presence of ultramarine paint on the parchment surface appears to increase the harmful effects of proton radiation. Based on our results, a maximum radiation dose of 0.5 µC/cm2 can be considered as 'safe boundary' for 2.3 MeV PIXE analysis of parchment under the applied conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]