Reconstructing Burnt Anglo-Saxon Fragments in the Cotton Collection at the British Library

Abstract

The British Library conducted a Fragmentarium case study in 2017 to explore the possibilities for improving access to burnt fragments of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts from the Cotton Collection. Multispectral imaging and analysis undertaken by Dr Christina Duffy at the British Library Conservation Centre has revealed more details from the surviving fragments than are otherwise visible. The complexity of multispectral imaging presents challenges for online display and long-term storage that need to be addressed in future manuscript digitisation initiatives.