Understanding the Material Culture of Islamic Paper and Inks

Project Information

ISLAPAP

Grant agreement ID: 101026281

DOI

10.3030/101026281

Project closed

EC signature date 19 March 2021

Start date 1 October 2021

End date 10 October 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 162 040,32

EU contribution

€ 162 040,32

Coordinated by

UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ISLAPAP (Understanding the Material Culture of Islamic Paper and Inks)

Reporting period: 2021-10-01 to 2023-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The technology of Islamic papermaking has not yet been historically analysed and scientifically investigated. Therefore, the ISAPAP project aimed to address two main problems in the study of the material culture of Islamic paper as follows:
Firstly, the study of previously untranslated mediaeval treatises to gain insights into the extensive collection of Arabic primary sources from the 8th to 19th centuries that mention recipes for Islamic papermaking. This task requires translation, interpretation and a comprehensive understanding of the often-obscure terminology for hidden recipes and techniques found in Arabic mediaeval texts.
Secondly, the characterisation of Islamic paper, which was carried out using scientific analytical methods such as HPLC and Raman spectroscopy on the reference collections of Islamic paper from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia and Ain Shams University in Egypt to determine the raw materials used in papermaking, such as natural dyes.

The research into the material culture of Islamic paper is important for the society for several reasons:
• Understanding the material composition of Islamic paper is crucial for the preservation of cultural heritage. Islamic manuscripts, documents and artworks often rely on paper as a medium, and research is helping to develop conservation methods to ensure their longevity.
• Islamic paper is an important medium for recording historical and cultural information. The study of its materials enables scholars and historians to gain insights into the history, society, and intellectual contributions of Islamic civilisations. It contributes to a more accurate interpretation of historical documents and artefacts.
• Knowledge of the material properties of Islamic paper helps conservators to develop appropriate conservation and restoration techniques. This is important to prevent deterioration over time and maintain the integrity of important cultural and historical documents.
• The material culture of Islamic paper is interwoven with the cultural practises, technological progress, and economic conditions of the Islamic world. The research helps to understand the cultural context of papermaking, trade, its importance in Islamic societies and its role in the dissemination of knowledge.

The ISLAPAP project focussed on three main research objectives:
• To conduct archival and historical research on previously untranslated Arabic primary sources and texts, with a focus on the materials and techniques of Islamic papermaking. In addition, to publish a critical and evidence-based overview of the history of Islamic papermaking and ink production for the period of the second millennium.
• The development of analytical scientific methods for the characterisation of historical Islamic paper artefacts. In addition, the historical reference collection of Islamic paper at UL will be characterised and analytical methods developed that can be applied to real objects.
• The application of the developed analytical characterisation methods to original Islamic manuscripts in the University of Ljubljana Historical Reference Collection of Islamic Paper and in the Ain Shams Collection in Cairo.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The work performed during the grant period focussed on the material-scientific investigation of both sacrificial reference material collections and real manuscripts. The following tasks, experiments and activities were carried out to achieve the objectives of the project:
(i) conducting extensive archival and historical research on previously untranslated Arabic primary sources and texts that focussed on the materials and techniques used in Islamic papermaking, particularly colouring materials. (ii) the reconstruction of model samples according to the recipes given in the historical sources. (iii) The artificial ageing of these model samples for 70 days in a climatic test chamber at a temperature of 50 °C and a relative humidity of 70 %. (iv) The development of methods to analyse natural dyes in Islamic paper using high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) using these model samples. (v) Application of these developed methods to original paper manuscripts from two collections.

The main results achieved during the grant period:
(i) Texts from the 10th to 17th centuries describing the colouring of Islamic paper were translated into English for the first time, reviewed, critically analysed, and published. The recipes cited in these texts described the use of various dyes, especially those of plant origin, as well as different techniques for extracting the dye from the raw material and colouring the paper.
(ii) Innovative methods for the analysis of natural dyes in Islamic paper using HPLC–DAD) has been developed, providing new insights for the analysis of archival material. The developed method using HPLC-DAD was successfully applied to identify six of the seven dyes suggested in primary sources for dyeing Islamic and quasi-Islamic paper red and yellow: henna, madder, lac, safflower, turmeric, and weld. The samples used for the analysis come from original Islamic manuscripts in the Historical Reference Collection of Islamic Papers at the University of Ljubljana and in the Ain Shams Collection in Cairo.
For Exploitation and Dissemination, the following scientific articles represent the scientific achievements of the project during the grant period:
• Ebeid, H., F. Di Gianvincenzo, I. Kralj Cigić, and M. Strlič. 2023. An art-technical study and investigation of mediaeval Islamic paper colouring techniques. In Working Towards a Sustainable Past. ICOM-CC 20th Triennial Conference Preprints, Valencia, 18–22 September 2023, ed. J. Bridgland. Paris: International Council of Museums. (Published)
• Ebeid, H., F. Di Gianvincenzo, I. Kralj Cigić, and M. Strlič. 2023. Chromatographic Analysis of Natural Dyes in Mediaeval Islamic Paper. Heritage Science. (Published)

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In this interdisciplinary research collaboration with colleagues, texts from the 10th to 17th centuries describing the colouring of Islamic paper were translated into English for the first time, reviewed and critically analysed. The recipes describe the use of various dyes, especially those of plant origin, as well as different techniques for extracting the dye from the raw material and colouring the paper. In addition, innovative methods for the analysis of natural dyes in Islamic paper using high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have been developed, providing new insights for the analysis of archival material.

In addition to the research activities of the project, ISLAPAP has also focussed on education and social impact. This has been done through public lectures, workshops and the mentoring of students, including a Masters student in Slovenia, Sara Moreno Castaño from Spain, who has developed a method for analysing natural dyes in historical Islamic paper using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). This commitment to education ensures the continuity of scientific progress by training the next generation of inquisitive minds. ISLAPAP also played an important role in organising several events, such as the Colloquium on Research into Egyptian Cultural Heritage in Slovenia, which took place at the Ethnographic Museum in Ljubljana.

The model samples were reconstructed according to the recipes given in the historic sources.

Preparation of henna dye and dyeing of paper according to a 13th century recipe.

Coloured folios were analysed from the collection of reference materials of HSLL.