Questions 1-10
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Researching the origin of medieval manuscripts
Background
- Medieval manuscripts – handwritten books produced between the fifth and fifteenth centuries
- Origin of many manuscripts unknown until 2009; scientists started using DNA testing
Animal hides – two types
Parchment
Sheep skin: white in colour and 1
Greasy – writing can’t be erased so often used for 2
Vellum
Calf skin: most popular for prestigious work because you can get 3 lettering.
Preparation of hides
- Treated in barrels of lime – where this was not available, skins were 4 (removed hair -> more flexible)
- Stretched tight on a frame
- Scraped to create same 5
- Vellum was 6
Genetic testing – finding origins
Previously – analysed handwriting and 7 used by the writer
Now – using genetic data from ‘known manuscripts’ to create a 8
Uses of new data
Gives information on individual books
Shows the 9 of the book industry
Helps define 10 in medieval period