Search

The cultural background of the proliferation of early paper in Central Asia and its use outside China has rarely been explored. Since written sources are inconclusive regarding the origins and spread of papermaking, archaeological and material evidence assumes increased importance. The preserved manuscripts found along the Silk Road have been used as a key source in the study of religion, literature and the cultural history of Central Asia. They have, however, rarely been viewed as artefacts in their own right, with their own specific form and produced by a specific technology. Paper is one of the most important physical aspects of a manuscript and at the same time bears witness to early papermaking technologies. As an introduction to the vol­ume Asian paper as writing support, this article outlines the early history and technology of pa­permaking as revealed by the oldest manuscripts in existence, those found along the Silk Road.

The article presents a report from a November 14-15, 2013 conference in Heidelberg, Germany on the history of the production and usage of paper in the Middle Ages. Topics of presentations delivered included the digitization of Middle Ages manuscripts at the university library in Heidelberg, Germany, the methodology of paper production in the 15th century, and the history of European paper mills.