Analysis on a book of Psalms printed at Neamt Monastery (Neamt County of Romania) in 1824

Abstract

In this paper the results of a diagnostic campaign on the Book of Psalms in Romanian language are presented. This book was written with Cyrillic characters, in black and red ink, and was printed at Neamt Monastery (Neamt County of Romania) in 1824. The book exhibited damages on the cover and on the pages due to the storage conditions and usage. Diagnostic analyses were performed to identify the botanical species of the wood covered by leather and the agents of biological attack. The wooden board is made of beech; the microbiological survey showed the presence of fungi (genus 'Aspergillus', 'Penicillium' and 'Mucor') and bacteria. The main steps of treatment and restoration were also established on the base of a technical-scientific committee suggestions.