Most of the SuUB's papyri are from the context of Gauleiter Apollonios from the 2nd century AD. With one exception (Coptic) they are written in Greek script. The project for re-glazing the papyri displays, which was made possible through the support of sponsors, serves as a role model.

Until 2016, the Bremen Papyri were kept in glass frames made in 1902/03. At some point, the glass was damaged and strange deposits formed where the broken glass came into direct contact with the papyri. The gray-white residues are clearly visible everywhere the papyrus came into direct contact with the glass. The project goal, therefore, is just as much a re-glazing undertaking as an investigation into the cause of these strange deposits. For this reason, conservational processing was carried out on the papyri, as well as analyzes of the old and the new glass.

Protective packaging and graphic beds

The papyrus restorer Jörg Graf from the University Library Leipzig opened the old glass frames. He removed the papyri from the acid-free carrier board and replaced the glass. These were then brought to the SuUB Bremen in suitable protective packaging and on graphic beds.

The conservation measures were accompanied by a research project embedded in the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences Leipzig (HTWK). The project was funded by the Koordinierungsstelle für die Erhaltung des schriftlichen Kulturguts [Coordinating Office for the Preservation of Written Cultural Heritage].

On view until April 12

An exhibition traces the individual steps of the project and provides information about the historical papyri collection. It is on view from February 19 to April 12, 2018 in the foyer of the SuUB in Bibliothekstraße, 28359 Bremen (Mon – Fridays 8 a.m. till 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.).

Attention editors: You can download a photo on this topic under: https://seafile.zfn.uni-bremen.de/f/65b65d54ff5147c185af/

If you would like to have more information on this topic, feel free to contact:

Anke Winsmann
State and University Library Bremen – Public Relations
Phone: +49 (0)421/218-59572
email: oeffentlichkeitsarbeitprotect me ?!suub.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
www.suub.uni-bremen.de