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The Book of Uí Mhaine: An Interdisciplinary Analysis of the Materiality of the Gaelic Manuscript Tradition

Published version

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


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Authors

Biolcati, Veronica 
Wilson, Meghan 
Fiddyment, Sarah 
Unitt, Richard 
Ryan, Cynthia Connelly  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9783-8982

Abstract

jats:pThis paper presents the findings of the first multi-analytical investigation of the Book of Uí Mhaine, one of the largest Gaelic Books surviving from the medieval vernacular period. A combination of protein analysis, point X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), multispectral imaging (MSI), point Fiber-Optic Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS) and point Raman spectroscopy was used to perform a systematic investigation of the Book of Uí Mhaine’s constituent materials, including parchment, inks and pigments. The analysis revealed that the parchment was made of calfskin, both blunt tools and Pb-containing materials were used for ruling the pages throughout the manuscript, and iron-based inks were used to write the content of the book. The decoration was restricted to the initial letters and rubrication across the body text. The decoration color palette was limited to yellow and red, comprising arsenic-, mercury- and lead-based pigments. A copper-based green pigment was found only on one folio. The scientific knowledge acquired through this multi-analytical approach complemented a substantial corpus of knowledge already built by Gaelic scholars, paleographers, codicologists and conservators. This work not only allowed for the consolidation of existing information on methods and materials used for the production of medieval Gaelic manuscripts but also laid the basis for future comparative work with other contemporary traditions in Ireland and Europe.</jats:p>

Description

Peer reviewed: True

Keywords

4302 Heritage, Archive and Museum Studies, 43 History, Heritage and Archaeology

Journal Title

Heritage

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1857-7482
2571-9408

Volume Title

6

Publisher

MDPI AG
Sponsorship
IRC Advanced Laureate Research (IRCLA/2019/151)