Columbia: RBML, John Gillis

Lecture open to the public.
Wednesday, 30 March at 5:30

Columbia University, Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Small reception afterwards in RBML

“Treasure from the Bog: the Faddan More Psalter”

This lecture tells the story of the discovery of the Faddan More Psalter, an early medieval manuscript unearthed from a peat bog in Co. Tipperary in the summer of 2006. We will look at the methodology behind recording and dismantling of the fragmented text block and the dewatering of the saturated folia and leather cover. Many new and exciting discoveries were made during the lengthy and difficult task of conserving this important archeological find, which had survived in an extreme environment for over a millennium and examine how that same environment was somewhat responsible for its survival. In conservation terms much of the technique employed was developed as work progressed due to the unique nature of the project, with little in the way of comparative work existing. We will examine the content of manuscript, which contains the fragmented remains of the one hundred and fifty Psalms from the Old Testament and includes areas of illumination and decorated lettering. We will see the cover in remarkable original condition; possibly the only one of its kind in Western Europe and one of only a handful of extant original early medieval Western book covers. We will draw comparisons with structures that hail from lands as far away as Egypt. We will also look in detail at some of the surprise features from the cover that have raised more questions than answers but without doubt will play an important role in adding to the history of book making and monastic life in early medieval Ireland.