Conservation

Extensive conservation programmes have been in effect for some 20 years, to ensure that the precious materials also shall survive in best possible condition in the future.

Bound manuscripts of vellum and paper have been treated according to modern conservation methods, deteriorating materials stabilized and defective early bindings left as is and put in protective conservation folders or placed in folding cases.

Manuscripts of papyrus, palm leaf or birch bark, have been cleaned, partly reassembled and conserved either under glass, or in conservation folders.

Inscribed clay objects have, when not fired in antiquity or by previous owners, mostly been baked under electronic controlled firing procedures, desalted and stored in conservation carrying cases or folding cases. Objects in good, stable condition have been left as they are.

Fire, water, humidity and changing conditions being the foremost threats to manuscripts, most of the collection is stored in dark vaults at 40-55 % humidity and low, constant temperature around 12-15°C.