Archaeologists have recently revealed a fascinating picture of the thriving trade networks that connected the medieval world. They did so by looking through an unusual set of tomes matted in seal skin. These volumes, which came from Clairvaux Abbey in northern France and its daughter monasteries, are almost 900 years old. On April 9, the Royal Society Open Science published evidence to the contrary. These findings expose the unexpected materials regularly employed in bookbinding during this era.
Clairvaux Abbey, founded in 1115 by Cistercian monks, became a major intellectual and spiritual center. The abbey and its daughter monasteries generated a vast number of texts, many of which were originally housed in a distinctive fur-covered binding. The outer layer, or furry chemise, was constructed from seal skins. This use of material invites questions about where it came from and what trade routes existed during this time period.
Élodie Lévêque, a talented book conservator from the Panthéon-Sorbonne University in Paris, examined these volumes closely. She relied on a microscope to carry out her close forensic investigation. At first, she was completely befuddled by what kind of skin would go into making such a fuzzy chemise. Though the sheepskin formed the main covers, the use of seal skin as the outer cover was a surprise.
Her skepticism isn’t just based on the lack of historical context though. Seals did not live along France’s northern coast during the time in question. Deeper digging revealed a curious detail. Norse hunters in more remote regions hunted seals and brought their pelts back to northern France through elaborate trade networks.
“That’s not possible. There must be a mistake,” – Élodie Lévêque
The investigation team collected DNA samples from five chemises to compare with samples taken from the seals. Sequencing results confirmed that the outer covers were indeed constructed from seal skin. This finding upends assumptions about local sourcing of materials.
Lévêque remembered that these individualized book jackets looked like teddy bears when you first saw them. What made them truly unique was their lighter shades.
The discovery not only highlights the craftsmanship of medieval monks but emphasizes the complex trade networks that existed during that era. As a result, it can tell us about the incredible depth of cultural and economic exchange. This was the case even during periods when these ties usually left no paper trail.
One thing’s for certain, researchers are racing to study these rare artifacts. Through their collective work, they will provide invaluable information on the trade practices and daily life of people in medieval Europe. The seal skin-covered books serve as a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness of societies long before globalization became a modern phenomenon.
As researchers continue to study these rare artifacts, they may uncover more about the trade practices and daily lives of people in medieval Europe. The seal skin-covered books serve as a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness of societies long before globalization became a modern phenomenon.
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