Destruction of the binding media of the green paint layer in an eleventh-century Greek manuscript

Abstract

Approaches the investigation of the decomposed paint layer of an Eleventh century Byzantine manuscript using non-traditional techniques to identify the carbohydrate binder. The experiments indicated that the action of copper ions leads not only to the destruction of parchment but also to the decomposition of the carbohydrate binding media of the paint layer. Carbohydrate binder decomposes to the simplest organic acids and they, in turn, contribute to the destruction of parchment.