Analytical Techniques For The Characterization Of Documents: A Bibliographic Review

The interest in the conservation of manuscripts has grown in recent decades, either for their artistic value or for the unique information they hold. For this, it is necessary to know both the materials used and their alterations, in order to discern the best restoration treatment according to their characteristics.The implementation of analytical techniques applied to this field of study has allowed us to improve knowledge about documentary and bibliographic heritage. Thus, elementary techniques (X-ray dispersive energies, X-ray fluorescence, etc.) or molecular techniques (infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, etc.) can be used to analyze inorganic or organic materials. Although many of these studies have been aimed at studying illuminated manuscripts, it is important to take into consideration the published studies on the characterization of metallographic inks, which are related to the preservation of information and to the degradation of the support. The use of imaging techniques (optical microscopy, infrared photography, electron microscopy, etc.) makes it possible to complement diagnostic and material identification studies. However, a detailed knowledge of the studied manuscript requires the design of a protocol that complements the information obtained by selecting the most appropriate techniques based on the characteristics of the manuscript and the availability of them.The main objective of this paper is simplified the maker decision around the selection of analytical techniques and not only giving a bibliographical review of the main studies about the analysis of supports and supported materials, Additionally, a protocol have been designed to make easier to the restorer the choose of analytical techniques according to the materials to characterized and the available sources.