QNL holds virtual lecture on preserving heritage materials
The Qatar National Library (QNL) has held a unique virtual lecture titled ‘Scientific Applications to Preserving Documentary Islamic Heritage’, in which the participants learned about the non-destructive scientific techniques used in the analysis of heritage materials.
This lecture comes within the framework of the QNL’s efforts to promote preservation and maintenance activities for cultural and historical heritage materials, and within the library’s participation in the activities of “Doha, Capi- tal of Culture in the Islamic World 2021”.
The lecture was presented by book conservation specialist at the library, Maxim Nasra, who reviewed the most important spectral techniques used to conduct non-destructive scientific analyses of heritage materials. The spectral techniques discussed in the event are crucial and important in examining, maintaining and preserving heritage materials.
He also reviewed some practical examples of the use and employment of these techniques. The lecture was held in English and was intended for specialists, students, researchers, and those interested in the field of documentary heritage preservation.
The number of attendees reached about 130 people from different regions of the world, and the event witnessed high interest and great interaction from the participants.
Commenting on the lecture, Nasra said that it is at the core of their responsibility and role as a cultural and educational institution to educate researchers, students, and specialists about the latest technologies that will improve the process of preserving and maintaining Islamic heritage materials. He added that their primary focus has been to showcase the benefits of spectroscopic techniques, with which they can analyse heritage materials without destroying them in any way.
Nasra said that learning these techniques ensures the continued clarity of written texts, graphics and decorations, and helps identify the causes of damage, and thus helps find effective methods of treatment and maintenance.
The event highlighted the micro-fading test, a technique commonly used in the library to understand the form of damage to the structure of materials while determining how long the material can be exposed to the public without damaging it.
Artistic photography is also another scientific technique used to understand the dyes or colours used in heritage materials. Nasra explained this technique using a page of a Qur’an manuscript from the second century AH (9th/10th century CE), and it is among heritage materials that the QNL preserves for future generations for study and search.
He also explained the use of other common types of spectroscopic techniques in the study and analysis of heritage materials, such as Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and reflection spectroscopy.
The QNL continues to offer a variety of interesting online activities in all fields, which aim to spread culture and knowledge and empower participants with different skills. To learn more about upcoming events, visit the events page on the library’s website, www. qnl.qa/en/events.