Application of imaging spectroscopy, SEM-EDS and DNA analysis for monitoring the preservation status of a manuscript of the first decade of 19th century

Abstract

This paper presents an interdisciplinary approach on the preservation status of a manuscript made in the early nineteenth century on paper support. This approach was based on the analysis of the pigments and inks, as well as the damage of the manuscript, which was provoked by biological attack. This analysis was accomplished with the application of innovating techniques such as imaging spectroscopy using high resolution cameras and DNA analysis. The use of new technologies from diverse science can provide useful information on the inks and pigments as well as the type of biological agents found in the manuscript. Furthermore, apart from the knowledge about the inks and pigments, important elements can be retrieved on their preservation status. The aim of this research is the combined use of the detected information on the types of inks and pigments with the biological investigation in order to trace damage caused by biological attack and to investigate the causative agent of this attack. For this reason, imaging techniques, SEM/EDS analysis were applied to the inks and pigments as well as a microbiologic and molecular analysis of the fungi found on the pigments of manuscript.