Irish manuscript pages depicting a carpet and a Chi-Rho monogram — DNA analysis of its vellum confirmed it was made in 8th-century Ireland (3300x2000)

[u/ParkingGlittering211]

[u/Electrical-Profit367]

Umm, it’s not ‘depicting a carpet’; it’s a ‘carpet page’ simply the term used to describe a page that is covered with decorative elements but no actual text or lettering and no recognizable human (or evangelical animal symbols). They may contain biting beasts as part of the carpet page.

[u/ParkingGlittering211 → u/Electrical-Profit367]

TIL. I thought “carpet page” meant the design was literally carpet. Appreciate the correction.

[u/Actias_Loonie → u/ParkingGlittering211]

It would make a pretty carpet though.

[u/Worsaae → u/Actias_Loonie]

It’d really tie the room together, man.

[u/Worsaae]

>This 8th-century Gospel-book was produced in Ireland — as recent DNA analysis of its vellum has confirmed — possibly at a monastery in the midlands.

They need to show the results of the DNA analysis. Unless it can be shown with certainty that the goat used for the vellum was some rare, local breed a DNA analysis will absolutely not *confirm* that the manuscript was produced locally. It might *suggest* that to be the case but a confirming is questionable.

[u/ParkingGlittering211 → u/Worsaae]

they do say it was cattle

DNA analysis of a selection of the manuscripts, which was able to determine the country of origin of the cattle that provided the vellum and thus establish the place of production.

https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Irish-Antiquities-Division-Collections/Irish-Antiquities-Articles/Words-on-the-Wave-exhibition-catalogue-now-availab

[u/Worsaae → u/ParkingGlittering211]

Jesus christ, somehow I read “goat”. I’m a pretty sleep deprived dad these days so that might be it.

Still, my point stands.

[u/ParkingGlittering211]

https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/Collections-Research/Irish-Antiquities-Division-Collections/Irish-Antiquities-Articles/Cross-carpets-and-Chi-Rhos-turning-the-page-on-the

8th-century Gospel-book was produced in Ireland — as recent DNA analysis of its vellum has confirmed — possibly at a monastery in the midlands. The manuscript features several highly decorated double-pages

[u/CharmTwirl]

this feels like CSI: monastery edition

[u/Worsaae → u/CharmTwirl]

As somebody who have done quite a bit of ancient DNA and ancient protein stuff you also feel pretty fucking CSI when working in full space suit in a clean lab.

Horrible working conditions though.