Evidence that the Vinland Map Was Drawn Using an Iron Gall Ink: The Continuing Need for Further Research

Jacqueline S. Olin

Great Falls, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/aces.2012.24063                

Abstract

The Vinland Map is a map of the world that shows “the island of Vinland” in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. It is housed in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. The Map has been purported to date from the Council of Basle, AD 1431-1449. The nature of the ink of the Map has not been identified. It has been suggested that it may be an iron gall ink, a carbon ink or an ink that contains anatase and gelatin and perhaps other unknown constituents. This paper will present evidence that supports the ink being an iron gall ink. It is intended that this evidence will encourage further research.

Keywords

Iron Gall Ink; UV Examination of Iron Gall Ink; Iron Gall Ink Corrosion

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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