Characterization of a Historical Leather Cover of Manuscript 'Ensaan Elaauon fe sert Elameen Elmaamon', Al-Azhar Library, Eygpt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Conservation Dept., Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, Egypt

2 Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

3 Department of Conservation, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt

4 Al-Azhar Library, Islamic Research Academy, Al-Azhar Sheikhdom, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

This study focuses on a historical leather cover of a manuscript dating back to the 10th A.H century from Al-Azhar Library. The study aims to use analytical techniques to identify the components of the historical leather cover of the manuscript, and to explain its deterioration process. Analytical methods used in this study were visual assessment, investigation of the surface morphology by a digital microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Attenuated total reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), amino acid analysis, identification of fungi, and measurement of pH. The results revealed that the leather suffered from brittleness, white stain, dust, fungal stains, cracks, in addition to missing and burnt parts. The results of SEM revealed that goatskin was identified as the animal skin of the historical leather cover of the manuscript. ATR-FTIR analysis revealed the degradation of chemical composition of the historical leather cover of the manuscript. The amino acid analysis stated that the chemical composition of historical cover of the manuscript suffered from deterioration through oxidation and hydrolysis mechanisms. Aspergillus sp < /em>, Chaetomium sp < /em>, Penicillium sp < /em>, and Fusarium sp < /em> were the most dominant fungi found. All analytical techniques used in this study proved that the historical leather cover of the manuscript is in urgent need of conservation.  

Highlights

  • The historical leather cover of manuscript from Al-Azhar Library, Egypt was studied.
  • Some aspects of deterioration were noticed such as brittleness, cracks, Wrapping, tears and etc.
  • Analytical techniques (SEM, ATR-FTIR, amino acids, pH. etc. were used to study the characterizations of the historical leather cover of manuscript. 
  • The results proved that the historical leather cover suffers from deterioration caused by different factors.

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