The structural and appearance characteristics investigation of two manuscripts from the 5th century AH belonging to Malek National Library and Museum Institute - Journal of Research on Archaeometry
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1- PhD Conservation Department, Art University of Isfahan, Iran , m.h.somea@gmail.com
2- Conservation Department, Art University of Isfahan, Iran
3- Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran
4- Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran
5- Phytochemistry Department, Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (82 Views)
The first historical papers in their most primitive form provide valuable information from their manufacturing technology and are still being researched. This research aims to investigate the structural and appearance characteristics of the papers of two early manuscripts belonging to the 5th century AH. For this purpose, library studies provided descriptive information about historical papers, and the existence of organic and mineral substances was determined through optical and polarizing microscopic, microchemical and SEM_EDX tests. The visual and appearance characteristics of the papers were checked using colorimeters and light sheets. The results show that the fibers of flax and hemp plants are the basic fibers and their accompanying cells are the side fibers of the material in the papers of this manuscript. The presence of accompanying plant cells such as vessels and parenchyma in these papers confirms the use of the plant itself in preparing the papers of these manuscripts. Minerals in SEM images and in matching with EDX data show the presence of calcium carbonate (lime) and possibly white soil or alkaline Shokhar substance, which have a different structure from the shape of plant star crystals of hemp calcium oxalate. The absence of chain lines, the presence of deviated parallel lines with a large distance from each other, and the non-uniform distribution of pulp in the papers of both manuscripts indicate the first paper-making molds. The thickness of the papers in the cross-section is relatively high and the surface coating of both papers is made of wheat and rice starch. The paper of manuscript 5922 is darker than the self-colored paper of 345 manuscript. Also, this manuscript has iron stains and benefits from a lower amount of rice starch at the surface of own papers.
 
     
Technical Note: Original Research | Subject: Archaeometry
Received: 2024/04/26 | Accepted: 2025/05/25

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