News

Hidden in Plain Sight

 Hands-On Exploration of Scientific Technologies in the Study of Medieval Books and Objects

Coming to Leeds IMC 2024

workshop

 Practical Demonstration

Date: Monday, 1 July
Time: 16:30-18:00
Location: Sheppard Room, Brotherton Library

Join us for an engaging session on “Hidden in Plain Sight,” a major AHRC-funded research project that explores the application of advanced scientific technologies in historical studies. This project uses various analytical tools such as microscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, ancient DNA analysis, and micro-CT scanning to study sacred books and objects. Our focus is on understanding how these technologies can reveal changes and transformations in books and textual objects, such as mutilation, folding, or overpainting.

What to Expect:

• Project Overview & Initial Findings highlighting key scientific methods and their potential and limitations.
• Practical Demonstration using manuscripts from the Brotherton Library’s special collections.

Why Attend?

Are you interested in learning how new technologies can revolutionise our engagement with mediaeval books and objects? Do you want to explore new models for cross-disciplinary collaborative work for medievalists? If so – this session is for you.

Drop-in Sessions

 How Can Heritage Science Support My Research?

Dates & Times:
Tuesday, 2 July, 13:00-14:30
Wednesday, 3 July, 13:00-14:30
Location: University House: Beechgrove Room

Do you have questions about how new technologies can aid your research? Bring your questions, objects, or images to our drop-in ‘surgery’ sessions. Our project team, consisting of historians, scientists, and curators, will be available to discuss how scientific technologies might support your research.

Join us to explore the fascinating intersection of heritage science and historical studies and discover how these cutting-edge tools can enhance your understanding and research of mediaeval texts and artefacts.

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Applications are now open for a Collaborative Doctoral Award (Queen Mary University of London and Cambridge University Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology): Beyond Magic: Contextual and Material Study of Islamic Amulets

Supported by the London Arts and Humanities Partnership, this fully paid fellowship will provide three to four years’ funding for a collaborative PhD project, supervised by members of Hidden in Plain Sight Team.

Islamic amulets abound from across Dar al Islam, a testimony to a buzzing religious and commercial creativity. This project will put their materiality centre-stage by exploring production and use, elements rarely addressed in research. It will analyse amulets to learn of the craftspeople and users who had left little record in written narratives. Shedding light on little explored Islamic collections at MAA, it will develop new means for their analysis. This will put centre-stage marginalised people and collections, while employing innovative technologies to redress the imbalance of research.  The proposed project will combine MAA’s extensive collections with world-leading expertise in religious and digital history at Queen Mary University of London, to add to our understanding of a key element of Islamic culture and religion. It will put these objects centre-stage, combining the examination of their materiality with documentary evidence for their production, dissemination and use. Beyond Magic will be supported by expertise from the Hidden in Plain Sight research team, who will provide a range of innovative scientific technologies, including 3D microscopy, CT scanning and ancient DNA to facilitate the student’s exploration of Islamic amulets. Results of the project will engage faith-groups and academic audiences alike. 

Proficiency in Arabic (print and manuscript) and MA in Islamic history or related fields by the time of start of PhD are essential; Experience in working in a museum environment or community engagement is desirable.  Application deadline – 26th January 2024 at 5pm (GMT)

To apply, and for more information, visit https://www.lahp.ac.uk/prospective-students/collaborative-doctoral-awards-projects-available/

Composite Islamic Amulet ©MAA