The comparative study of the state of conservation of two medieval documents on parchment from different historical periods

Abstract

The paper explores the potentiality of an experimental multianalytic protocol with appropriate methodology for determining the chemical and morphostructural characteristics of two old documents on parchment support. Such a protocol can authenticate and assess the state of conservation under the influence of environmental factors during storage and archival documentation, thus advancing preventive and prophylactic measures in “treasure” deposits such as the National Archives of Romania, where these documents are kept. The work methodology consisted of three stages. The first stage consists of visual observation for identifying deteriorations and degradations, alongside the selection of representatives’ areas from where micro-samples were collected. The second stage involves Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (SEM-EDX) analysis, for highlighting the morphology and determining the elemental composition; lastly, the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and correlation of results establish the chemical and morphostructural changes. The use of this gradual system of analyses allowed determining the differences between these two documents in terms of the materials used for producing them, their manufacturing technologies, the writing and ornamentation, and the overall state of conservation. The results provided the first accurate picture of the chemical nature and manufacturing of the two parchment documents by determining the main characteristics of the collagen and of the finishing, writing, and decoration materials, in view of the natural aging through the oxidative and gelatinization processes of the collagen. The SEM-EDX results revealed the morphological changes of the parchment that occurred at various levels in the collagen fibrous mesh and established the state of conservation of the support, writing, and decorations.