An Iron Gall Ink Database: Its Potential Usefulness
Jacqueline S. Olin, retired chemist
Smithsonian Institution
July 12, 2005
About the Lecture:
The controversy that has surrounded the Vinland Map, especially following the announcement of anatase in the iron gall ink, has been overwhelming. What is evident from all discussions is that a robust study of medieval inks, which would provide a basis for evaluating all the information from the analysis of the ink, is missing. A robust study would involve careful selection of medieval documents and analyses of their iron gall ink formulations using a number of analytical techniques. This talk focused on how the Vinland Map is a case study for the questions that need to be addressed during the analysis of an ink of proposed medieval origin.
About the Speaker:
Jacqueline S. Olin was educated as a chemist at Dickinson College with graduate study in biochemistry at Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania. She was introduced to the field of art conservation at New York University while doing graduate work in chemistry, which lead to her invitation to develop a conservation program at the Smithsonian Institution. She introduced the field of archaeometry and performed research on using neutron activation analysis to study majolica ceramics. Since retiring from the Smithsonian in 1995, she has focused on research involving the Beinecke Library’s Vinland Map.
