The Technological Study of Books and Manuscripts as Artefacts: Research questions and analytical solutions: Research questions and analytical solutions

The book (in this context any portable object whose prime purpose is to convey documentary information, including both images and text) is, in the view of the editors of this interesting volume, a much-neglected artifact in the spectrum of objects which constitute the material cultural heritage. This collection of papers represents the work of a group of national and international researchers who have studied the various components of the book as object, with the aim of sharing expertise, generating new interactions, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers from the arts and humanities and those from science and heritage science disciplines. This volume documents discussions which took place between March and November 2009 at workshops and symposia organized by the BookNET Research Cluster. Introduction. The book as a material object / A.M. Pollard ... [et al.] pt. 1. Manuscript research questions. Curatorial issues and research questions: current research on western medieval manuscripts and oriental manuscripts in the Bodleian Library / Emilie Savage-Smith, Sarah Neate & Richard Ovenden Conservation issues and research questions: the role of analysis in book and manuscript conservation / Sarah Neate & David Howell ; with contributions from Cheryl Porter & Nicholas Pickwoad pt. 2. Introduction to manuscript analysis techniques. Principles and methods of analysis in archaeological and manuscript studies / Sarah Neate & A.M. Pollard Framing analytical research questions / Mark Clarke Defining methodological problems: a case study on paint analysis and the technological study of manuscripts / Nicholas Eastaugh pt. 3. Analytical solutions to manuscript research questions. Paper degradation and conservation: overview of recent research (2000-2010) / Matija Strlič Investigating the structural integrity of historical documents using x-ray diffraction techniques / Kate Thomas, Lee Gonzales & Tim Wess Advanced optical imaging methods for investigation manuscripts / Haida Liang Analysis of pigments on manuscripts by Raman spectroscopy: advantages and limitations / Lucia Burgio Non-destructive ion beam analysis techniques for book and manuscript studies / Geoff grime Provenancing parchment, leather and paper using stable isotopes / A.M. Pollard & Fiona Brock Scientific approaches to dating historical documents / A.M. Pollard. Front Cover Title Page Copyright Table of Contents Introduction: The Book as a Material Object Part One: Manuscript Research Questions Chapter 1: Curatorial Issues and Research Questions: Current Research on Western Medieval Manuscripts and Oriental Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library Chapter 2: Conservation Issues and Research Questions: The Role of Analysis in Book and Manuscript Conservation Part Two: Introduction to Manuscript Analysis Techniques Chapter 3: Principles and Methods of Analysis in Archaeological and Manuscript Studies Chapter 4: Framing Analytical Research Questions Chapter 5: Defining Methodological Problems: A Case Study on Paint Analysis and the Technological Study of Manuscripts Part Three: Analytical Solutions to Manuscript Research Questions Chapter 6: Paper Degradation and Conservation: Overview of Recent Research (2000-2010) Chapter 7: Investigating the Structural Integrity of Historical Documents using X-ray Diffraction Techniques Chapter 8: Advanced Optical Imaging Methods for Investigating Manuscripts Chapter 9: Analysis of Pigments on Manuscripts by Raman Spectroscopy: Advantages and Limitations Chapter 10: Non-destructive Ion Beam Analysis Techniques for Book and Manuscript Studies Chapter 11: Provenancing Parchment, Leather and Paper using Stable Isotopes Chapter 12: Scientific Approaches to Dating Historical Documents Back Cover The Introduction To This Collection Of Papers Is Entitled The Book As Material Object, Which Effectively Outlines Its Contents. The Main Themes Encompass Analysis Techniques For The Various Material Components Of Manuscripts, Dating And Conservation Issues. A Range Of Scientific Methods Are Explained And Their Effectiveness Evaluated.