Medieval History
Thousands of painstakingly handwritten books produced in medieval Europe still exist today, but scholars have long struggled with questions about when and where the majority of these works originated. Now a researcher from North Carolina State University is using modern advances in genetics to develop techniques that will shed light on the origins of these important cultural artifacts.
Many medieval manuscripts were written on parchment made from animal skin, and North Carolina State Assistant Professor of English Timothy Stinson is working to perfect techniques for extracting and analyzing the DNA contained in these skins with the long-term goal of creating a genetic database that can be used to determine when and where a manuscript was written. "Dating and localizing manuscripts have historically presented persistent problems," Stinson says, "because they have largely been based on the handwriting and dialect of the scribes who created the manuscripts ? techniques that have proven unreliable for a number of reasons."
Stinson says genetic testing could resolve these issues by creating a baseline using the DNA of parchment found in the relatively small number of manuscripts that can be reliably dated and localized. Each manuscript can provide a wealth of genetic data, Stinson explains, because a typical medieval parchment book includes the skins of more than 100 animals.
Once Stinson has created a baseline of DNA markers with known dates and localities, he can take samples from manuscripts of unknown origin. Stinson can then determine what degree of relationship there is between the animals whose skins were used in manuscripts of unknown origin and those used in the baseline manuscripts. Stinson hopes this DNA comparison will enable him to identify genetic similarities that would indicate the general time and locale where a book was written.
On a larger scale, Stinson says, this research "will also allow us to trace the trade route of parchments" throughout the medieval world ? a scholarly achievement that would provide a wealth of data on the evolution of the book industry during the Middle Ages.
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Medieval History
DNA Testing Used to Unlock Secrets of Medieval Manuscripts
Thousands of painstakingly handwritten books produced in medieval Europe still exist today, but scholars have long struggled with questions about when and where the majority of these works originated. Now a researcher from North Carolina State University is using modern advances in genetics to develop techniques that will shed light on the origins of these important cultural artifacts.
Many medieval manuscripts were written on parchment made from animal skin, and North Carolina State Assistant Professor of English Timothy Stinson is working to perfect techniques for extracting and analyzing the DNA contained in these skins with the long-term goal of creating a genetic database that can be used to determine when and where a manuscript was written. "Dating and localizing manuscripts have historically presented persistent problems," Stinson says, "because they have largely been based on the handwriting and dialect of the scribes who created the manuscripts ? techniques that have proven unreliable for a number of reasons."
Stinson says genetic testing could resolve these issues by creating a baseline using the DNA of parchment found in the relatively small number of manuscripts that can be reliably dated and localized. Each manuscript can provide a wealth of genetic data, Stinson explains, because a typical medieval parchment book includes the skins of more than 100 animals.
Once Stinson has created a baseline of DNA markers with known dates and localities, he can take samples from manuscripts of unknown origin. Stinson can then determine what degree of relationship there is between the animals whose skins were used in manuscripts of unknown origin and those used in the baseline manuscripts. Stinson hopes this DNA comparison will enable him to identify genetic similarities that would indicate the general time and locale where a book was written.
On a larger scale, Stinson says, this research "will also allow us to trace the trade route of parchments" throughout the medieval world ? a scholarly achievement that would provide a wealth of data on the evolution of the book industry during the Middle Ages.
- Modern Medieval
Medieval studies experts want to use technology to make it easier to study the past. Ironically, medieval studies scholars were among the first to use modern technology in their research. Rev. Roberto Busa used punchcards back in 1949 for his research...
- Digital Philology: A Journal Of Medieval Cultures - Call For Submissions, 2016 And 2017 Open Issues
Digital Philology is a peer-reviewed journal devoted to the study of medieval vernacular texts and cultures. Founded by Stephen G. Nichols and Nadia R. Altschul, _Digital Philology_ aims to foster scholarship that crosses disciplines upsetting traditional...
- 2nd Annual Lawrence J. Schoenberg Symposium On Manuscript Studies In The Digital Age
2nd ANNUAL LAWRENCE J. SCHOENBERG SYMPOSIUM ON MANUSCRIPT STUDIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE OCTOBER 30-31, 2009 Lex scripta: The Manuscript as Witness to the History of Law In partnership with the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia...
- Awrence J. Schoenberg Symposium On Manuscript Studies In The Digital Age
2nd ANNUAL LAWRENCE J. SCHOENBERG SYMPOSIUM ON MANUSCRIPT STUDIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE OCTOBER 30-31, 2009 Lex scripta: The Manuscript as Witness to the History of Law In partnership with the Rare Book Department of the Free Library of Philadelphia...
- Manuscripts In The Netherlands Online
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