Characterization of the Writing Media of the Dead Sea Scrolls
This chapter is dedicated to the development of the methodology for an accurate characterization of the support and the inks of the Dead Sea Scrolls. To that aim we use optical and electron microscopy. Micro-XRF, 3DSY- XRF, different IR methods including synchrotron radiation based reflectance spectroscopy. Simulation experiments to identify different water sources and binding agents in the carbon inks are presented. Provenance study of the Dead Sea Scrolls is based on the analysis of parchment and reconstruction of its history. For this purpose the chapter develops a methodology for an accurate characterization of this highly inhomogeneous material. Furthermore, it presents simulation experiments for the identification of the binder in carbon inks as well as the sources of water used for preparation of the liquid ink from its dry precursor. Keywords: 3DSY-XRF; Dead Sea Scrolls