Ancient Texts in the Digital World

December 3, 2013

manuscriptThe Bodleian and the Vatican Libraries have joined forces to make a number of rare ancient texts available free to the public, including  a 1455 Gutenberg Bible, a manuscript of Maimonides’ Mishneh Torah, and the oldest surviving Hebrew codex. Funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Polonsky Foundation, this “unique cultural and scholarly enterprise will provide students, scholars and the general public with easy access to these rich hidden treasures.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said that on seeing the texts, “there is a lifting of the spirits.” Read more about this project in today’s NPR article.

Laura


Heads up, Researchers! Vatican library to reopen after 3 year break

September 14, 2010

After $11.5 million dollars, improved climate  controls,  and heightened security  measures, the Vatican announced the reopening of its Apostolic library. All 70,000 volumes were off limits to the four to five thousand scholars who visit the facility annually. Started in 1450, the collection is renowned for its rare and spectacularly illuminated manuscripts.

Shira S.


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