Complementary Strategies for Deciphering the Information Contained in Ancient Parchment Documentary Materials

Abstract

This article reviews the complementary strategies that are used to decipher the valuable information that is contained in ancient parchment documentary materials. A new trend is molecular analysis, which has given rise to the emerging field of biocodicology, comprising protein and DNA analysis for the identification of the biological origin of the skins that are used for their manufacture. In addition, DNA analysis can identify the microbiome that is present in the object under investigation, which adds value by providing information on its history and state of preservation. In any case, it is important to complement the biomolecular investigations with microscopical and physicochemical analyses. Some of the complementary analytical techniques that are reviewed here, such as elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) with compound-specific analytical methods such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are advantageous as they can be applied in a non-invasive way and without inducing any changes in the objects.

Artefact Profiling: Panomics Approaches for Understanding the Materiality of Written Artefacts

“…Numerous microbiomes analyses have been carried out on manuscripts made of parchment. A compilation recently published can be found in Piñar et al [ 146 ]. One of the first studies performed with NGS on parchment manuscripts concerned the appearance of purple spots.…”

“…It is suspected that the bacteria infected the manuscripts through handling and use, but also through kisses. Such bacteria can also be involved in the decomposition of the manuscripts [ 48 , 133 , 146 ].…”

“…In addition, viruses were also detected in parchment samples, which only became really possible with the use of NGS technologies [ 146 ]. Some of the viruses ( Siphoviridae ) could be identified as bacteriophages, the occurrence of which was associated with colonisation of the parchments by certain bacteria [ 48 , 136 , 146 ].…”

“…In addition, viruses were also detected in parchment samples, which only became really possible with the use of NGS technologies [ 146 ]. Some of the viruses ( Siphoviridae ) could be identified as bacteriophages, the occurrence of which was associated with colonisation of the parchments by certain bacteria [ 48 , 136 , 146 ]. Other viruses such as Merkel cell polyomavirus are associated with the human “virobiota” and can therefore be traced back to contact with human skin [ 48 , 136 , 146 ].…”