linen (bast fibers)
Iran
7th Century
Source: Azarpay, G., Barabe, J. G., Martin, K. A., & Teetsov, A. S. (2002). Analysis of Writing Materials in Middle Persian Documents. Bulletin of the Asia Institute, 16, 181-187.
Recipe Details
Ingredients
flax, hemp, cotton, calcium sulfate, gypsum
Preparation Steps
The fragments were found to be woven cloths in a 1:1 plain weave, with both fill and warp directions in a Z twist (p. 183). White crystals of calcium sulfate (gypsum) were found on the surface of the fabric around inked areas, which the authors identify as a sizing agent (p. 183).
Original Recipe Text
The fragments were found to be woven cloths in a 1:1 plain weave, with both fill and warp directions in a Z twist (p. 183). White crystals of calcium sulfate (gypsum) were found on the surface of the fabric around inked areas, which the authors identify as a sizing agent (p. 183).
Evidence
"PLM examination identified three of these fragments to be composed of bast fibers, the most common of which are flax and hemp... An initial analysis by infrared spectroscopy of five other document fragments found them to be cellulosic (plant-based) rather than silk, as had been expected."
Remarks
The identification of linen as a writing material in 27 of the Berkeley documents corrected earlier beliefs that they were written on silk (p. 182). The discovery of cotton in two fragments was also noted (p. 183).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical Compositioncellulose, CaSO4
Analytical Techniques
PLM
infrared spectroscopy
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
paper
Paper Typelinen (bast fibers)
Colorundyed and bleached
RegionIran
Approx. Year650
Source Information
AuthorAzarpay, G., Barabe, J. G., Martin, K. A., & Teetsov, A. S.
CollectionPahlavi Archive at Berkeley, samples #2, 5, and 6
Language
N/A
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