An investigaton of the palette and techniques of some high medieval codices by Raman microscopy

A non-destructive investigation of inks and pigments used in late antiquity and in medieval codices has been undertaken. By comparing the results obtained on inkpots from Pompeii and from codices of various age, the use of metal gall inks appears to have been restricted to the period between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. A change in the use of pigments has been observed between the 9th and 12th century in the production of the Scriptorium of Nonantola (Italy). The increased wealth of the abbey could account for the use of expensive materials in the illuminations of the parchments.