Inside one of the world’s few crash courses in conserving and caring for ancient papyrus manuscripts
Summary
The University of Michigan offers a special 10-day course where scholars learn how to protect and preserve ancient papyrus manuscripts. The class uses the university’s large collection of papyri, including some of the oldest surviving texts like parts of Homer’s epics and early Christian writings.Key Facts
- The Papyrus Conservation Summer Seminar is the only course of its kind in the Americas.
- Nine scholars from different countries participated in the seminar.
- The course teaches best methods for handling and preserving ancient papyrus texts.
- The University of Michigan has one of the largest collections of papyrus manuscripts outside of Egypt.
- The collection includes texts from 1000 B.C.E. to 1000 C.E.
- Some notable items include fragments of Homer’s "The Odyssey" and "The Iliad," works by Epicurus, and the oldest copy of the Epistles of Paul.
- The seminar offers hands-on experience with fragile ancient documents that are thousands of years old.
- Preservation experts at the university lead the course and provide feedback to students.
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