Solving the mystery of an unusual medieval text

phys.org ^ | July 20, 2018 | by Alex Shashkevich, Stanford University

[Red Badger]

PinGGG!......................

[2banana]

What mystery?

The muslims destroyed everything non islamic or made it their own...

[Noumenon]

Muslim piracy in the Mediterranean also destroyed the trade in papyrus, which left parchment as the only and far more expensive alternative.

[zeestephen]

Thanks for posting.

I always enjoy reading about ancient history.

[yoe]

I think there is a gene that we humans have that triggers a desire for knowledge about plants, what is good to eat...the seeds from tasty ones then the exchanging of seeds becomes an exchange of 'recipes' for health as well as food. Preserving both humans and food, look to wine and vinegar.....and on and on and on.

I hope Mr. Dorin will share his document "finds" with all of us.

[KingLudd]

Parchment is animal skin, from a sheep or goat. Vellum is parchment made from calf skin.

(This luddite has brain tanned more than 75 whitetail hides)

[Joe 6-pack]

As a calligrapher and illuminator you are absolutely correct. In the strictest sense, “vellum,” is cow or calf skin only, deriving from the same root as, “veal.”

[Bellflower]

ping

[VRW Conspirator]

Drink you Ovaltine

[Bigg Red]

Thanks for posting this.

I am puzzled, though. Why is this researcher not wearing gloves while handling those texts?

[Skooz]

bfl

[Skooz]

I’m sure those would be copies, with the originals safely tucked away.

[bgill]

Just finished a polish dill pickle, yum.

[Bigg Red]

Hadn’t thought of that. Derp!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger.

[FrdmLvr]

I read recently on a British Medieval page that researchers no longer use gloves to handle ancient texts because when you handle pages wearing gloves, it’s easier to tear the pages. They now just wash their hands and dry them thoroughly to remove the oils and moisture from them.

[Bigg Red]

Interesting. Thanks.

[Oatka]

. . . written in Arabic using Hebrew letters, with Latin and old Spanish notes on the edges . . .

[Red Badger]

Staged picture.......................