From Italy to the UAE: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Studying Islamic and Arabic Manuscripts on European Papers

Nagmeldeen Morshed Hamza, Islam Shaheen
Abstract:
The research enhancing the use of digital technology, imaging techniques in studying, documenting, archiving, digitizing, and preserving manuscripts collection. The evaluation and improvement for the study of manuscripts by integrating both classical methods of codicological research and advanced digital technologies, introducing new approaches to collection preservation and examination. The manuscripts contained significant watermarks giving more information about different European papermills especially Italian papermills and addressing the challenge of writing Islamic texts on European paper containing watermarks in the shape of Christian symbols; this was important because cultural heritage often serves as a bridge for dialogue. The research explores the changes in manuscript paper design and the role of Arabic and Islamic culture in the changes in the manufacture of European papers. The study approach on RAK manuscript texts and papers encompasses not only the physical attributes of the manuscripts but also their socio-cultural significance. The results offer examination of paper characterization, manufacturing techniques, and previous interventions. This evidence deduces what might be considered the most significant characteristics of Italian papers. The developed non-destructive characterization methodology applied to Islamic and Arabic manuscripts expands the database with the material properties of papers of known age and provenance and thus better understands geographic and temporal distributions of papermaking practices in Italy. The importance of manuscripts as significant sources for rediscovering and analyzing the Muslim written cultural heritage.
Download:
IMEKO-Metroarchaeo-2025-012.pdf
DOI:
10.21014/tc26-2025.012
Event details
IMEKO TC:
TC26
Event name:
TC26 MetroArcheo Conference 2025
Title:

Metrology for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage

Place:
Bergamo, ITALY
Time:
15 October 2025 - 17 October 2025