The mystery and intrigue of a manuscript

The Walters Art Museum has just opened an exhibtion which focuses on a 10th century copy of Archimedes’ writings, the parchment of which was scraped and reused for a prayer book in the 13th century. The October 17, 2011 issue of The New York Times contains an exhibit review by Edward Rothstein which plays up the exotic elements of the story ( presenting it as a tale worthy of Dan Brown) while not forgetting to mention the twelve year study of the volume by an international team using the most advanced imaging technology and the treatment by Abigail Quandt, the Walters’ senior conservator of manuscripts.