Objectif
The world's most valuable collection of paper and manuscripts is undoubtedly the Dunhuang Collection, which is physically located in the National Libraries in London, Paris and St. Petersburg. It consists of tens of thousands of documents and includes the oldest, known, dated, printed book, the Dunhuang Diamond Sutra (AD868). The long-term future of this, literally invaluable, collection is currently in medium-term jeopardy due to a combination of physical and chemical deterioration of the paper.
A four-centred (Belfast, London, Paris and St. Petersburg) scientific preservation study of pre-tenth century paper will be launched with the following objectives: to develop and apply novel chemical treatments of the paper to prevent further chemical degradation, and to preserve the original dyes; to place human and technical resources in St. Petersburg to enable them to analyse and conserve their priceless collection; to develop and apply physical treatments to the paper (e.g. conserving or encapsulation) to preserve it against further deterioration; and to create a computerised international scientific and historical database to catalogue the Dunhuang collection.
This project is realistic but long-term, and will result in the preservation of a unique and invaluable world resource. This programme will represent a solid basis upon which to build for the future.
Appel à propositions
Data not availableRégime de financement
Data not availableCoordinateur
BT9 5AG BELFAST
Royaume-Uni