Application of FT-Raman spectroscopy to the characterisation of parchment and vellum, I; novel information for paleographic and historiated manuscript studies

Raman spectra of parchment and vellum have been recorded and used to charac terise materials used in mediaeval (10th century) and later works. These st udies support our work on the characterisation of pigments used in historia ted manuscripts and provide the basis for future studies of the interaction between pigments, binders and parchment or vellum. Examination of the unde corated parts of the manuscripts or books has been undertaken to ascertain if there are traces remaining of the procedures used to prepare the materia ls: in several cases, there is spectroscopic evidence for the presence of s ulphates and slaked lime, which were used in the preparations of vellums fo r scriptoria. In one 14th century cantoral, there is evidence for paper bei ng used as backing on the verse side of the vellum, probably from an early repair. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.