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Advancements in scientific analysis are allowing researchers to look beyond the surface of historical artifacts, leading to unexpected discoveries about the materials used in the creation of ancient texts. A recent study has uncovered that several rare volumes from the 12th and 13th centuries, originating from French monasteries, were not made from locally sourced materials as previously believed, but instead utilized seal skins that may have been imported from as far as Greenland.
Published in Royal Society Open Science, the findings reveal a complex trade network that existed during medieval times, suggesting that the production of these books was linked to wider commerce rather than insular craftsmanship. The study centers around books produced at Clairvaux Abbey, which was established by Cistercian monks in 1115 in northern France, and its affiliated monasteries. Contrary to prior assumptions that the unique, furry covers were made from deer or boar hide, a microscopic examination conducted by book conservator Élodie Lévêque prompted a new investigation.
Lévêque found that while the primary covers were indeed sheepskin, identifying the material for the outer furry covering, or chemise, posed a challenge. Collaborating with scientists, she analyzed the proteins from the chemise samples, leading to an astonishing revelation: the covers were made from seal skin. Initially skeptical, Lévêque conducted further tests, which consistently confirmed the surprising result.
Subsequent DNA analysis of five individual chemises indicated that four were genetically related to harbor seals native to Scandinavia, Denmark, and Scotland, while the fifth was akin to harp seals from Greenland or Iceland. This evidence supports the theory that Norse hunters likely sourced the seal skins and traded them along established routes to the French monks.
This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of cultural and economic exchanges during the medieval period. It highlights how these monks may have unwittingly adorned their texts with materials sourced from distant lands, integrating elements of international trade into their religious and scholarly practices. Furthermore, Lévêque speculates that the original appearance of these seal-skin covers would have been quite distinctive and visually appealing, akin to soft bear fur.
The research not only sheds light on material culture of the time but also emphasizes the interconnectedness of societies through trade, shaping a fuller picture of historical narratives. The cataloging of 43 seal-skin books further enriches our understanding of the complexities within medieval manuscript production, demonstrating a fascinating blend of local craftsmanship and foreign influences.
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