Abstract
Much research on ancient manuscripts has dealt with the identification and use of the pigments in their historiation and the degradation of the vellum substrates and relatively less work has been undertaken on the composition of the inks. In the case of ancient maps, the ink holds the key to much analytical information as few involved the use of pigments. This chapter traces the use of carbon-based inks through to mediaeval iron-gall or gallotannate inks and more rarely, coloured inks made from logwoods and cinnabar. Recent interest in ancient ink composition has arisen from the significant destructive effects noted particularly in the use of iron gallotannate inks on their vellum and paper substrates. An historical survey of ink through the ages generates a discussion of ink preparation and composition: several case studies follow in which the Raman spectroscopic analysis of the inks has been instrumental in providing information for conservators and historians. In particular, the discovery of anatase in the ink of the Vinland Map is highlighted for the ongoing controversy surrounding the importance of this manuscript in the discovery of North America, the interesting Raman spectroscopic data concerning the compositions of inks in the Beato de Valcavado and the definitive identification of iron gall ink in the Vercelli Gospels are discussed.
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Edwards, H.G.M., Vandenabeele, P., Colomban, P. (2023). Analytical Raman Spectroscopy of Manuscripts and Maps: The Role of Inks. In: Raman Spectroscopy in Cultural Heritage Preservation. Cultural Heritage Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14379-3_10
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