کاغذ

Fungi play a significant role in the deterioration of cultural heritage. Due to their high enzyme activity, fungi are able to inhabit and destroy the various materials used for historical objects. Because of the cellulose structure of the paper, paper works in archival documents are very vulnerable to damage by microorganisms, including fungi, and they are always faced with the problem of biodeterioration. Considering the harmful effects of using chemicals on paper works as well as their toxic effect on museum curators and conservators in museum collections and libraries, it is very necessary to find a suitable alternative to deal with destructive fungi. In this regard, the use of herbal essential oils has always been considered. Considering the diversity and abundance of medicinal plants in our country, Iran, in this study, the antifungal effect of the essential oils of three plants including Thymus, Lavender, and Boswellia was evaluated against two common fungal strains isolated from historical documents, including Penicillium and Aspergillus niger. Also, the possible physical and chemical effects of these essential oils on paper were studied to determine which essential oil can be the most suitable option for the decontamination of paper documents.The results obtained in this study confirm that the three investigated essential oils have antifungal activity. But based on the dose required for antimicrobial activity, it can be said that thymus essential oil has more antifungal activity than lavender and Boswellia essential oil. Due to the thymus’s high antimicrobial effect and also the absence of adverse effects on pH and physical properties on paper, it can be a suitable and promising option for protecting paper documents against fungal biodeterioration.

Fungal contamination and increased acidity are the most fundamental factors contributing to the erosion and destruction of historical manuscripts, including the manuscript of the Bible from the year 1150 AD. This work is housed in the museum of Archbishop Ardak Manoukian of Hazrat Maryam Church in Tehran. It is regarded as a significant treasure of Armenian cultural and artistic heritage, as well as an integral part of the cultural identity of the Christian community. Given the importance of this topic, the main objective of this research is to investigate the extent of fungal damage and the acidity level ofthe manuscript in question. This study is experimental in nature, consisting of laboratory investigations conducted over the span of one month in the laboratory of the Conservation and Restoration Faculty at Iran University of Art. To measure the acidity of the paper, a colorimetric method was employed following the standard of direct titration. Additionally, to assess fungal contamination, samples were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar Solid Medium, and a transmission polarizing microscope was utilized for examination. Chaetomium and Penicillium fungi were isolated from one of the eight samples tested, and an increase in acidity was observed in the manuscript's paper. Due to the complexities of technology, pathology, and environmentalsensitivity, this manuscript requires specific guidelines in museums and repositories to minimize fungal contamination and acidity levels in the paper.

Oversight and inaccurate interpretation to ancient written sources on the history of making papier-mâché figures in cultural domain of Iran has resulted in some mistakes in this field and correct information is not presented in most related sources about the history of this subject. It is commonly thought that the use of Papier-mâché for making masks and figures made of paper is an imported art which is related to contemporary era. However, current evidence of Iranian written heritage suggests that from the first century of Islamic calendar, this method of making objects existed in the Eastern world including Iran for making sculptures and masks of humans, animals and other objects which were used in different ceremonies. In this study, the authors have sought to find evidence for this issue by studying the ancient Persian literature, collected and selected from second hand resources. Ten texts are selected for this purpose which only deal with the main theme of study (i.e. the use of paper (or paperboard) for crafting Papier-mâché statuettes and masks). These texts are selected from the first century to the early 14th century AH. The study of documents is classified and arranged based on the time that each text has been written. ccordingly, and in general terms, the samples are divided into three sections. First category deals with travelogues and chronicles written by travelers and Iranian historians who have collected the customs and traditions of different countries. This section include subcategories: one of them is dedicated to countries located in eastern Iran and also the Far East, such as China, India and the surrounding areas. The other part deals with countries that are located in West Iran, such as Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The second category includes travelogues that foreign historians wrote during their travels to Iran, which mention a description of the living conditions as well as culture of Persians and are ultimately recorded by travelers themselves. Later, these travelogue-form accounts have been translated into Persian language, and have been considered a part of our important documents. The third category includes items written by Iranian writes about Iran describing events related to Persia. This evidence suggests that from the early centuries, Iranians were fully aware of this type of paper, paperboard and Papier-mâché applications for the construction of various objects, and they applied it to fit their different purposes. The main part of the paper is devoted to the review of the literature which indicate that Persians were acquainted with the manufacture of different types of masks and statuettes. However, some evidence that have been recorded by Persian historians deal with the events that occurred outside the borders of Iran. This paper intends to explore the long history of the use of Papier-mâché in Persian and Islamic culture and to change the way it is considered as an imported technique.

Most of fungicides for prevention of biological degradation in historic papers, firstly have been used in the other scientific and industrial fields such as material preservation, agriculture and medical science. Other scientific fields have a great importance in the conservation of historic relics especially paper relics. Therefore, Tiophanate methyl and Carbendazim fungicides were studied for application in the conservation and restoration of paper relics. Each of these materials is one of most important and applied materials in agriculture which are effective against wide range of biological factors. Conservation material should not have intensive structural effects on paper relics. Accordingly, it is required to evaluate effects of Tiophanate methyl and Carbendazim treatments on paper. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is one of most important methods for structural changes of paper. For the study, laboratory samples were prepared from filter paper. Samples were treated with Tiophanate methyl (dissolved in methanol) and Carbendazim (dissolved in distilled water) in 100ppm and 200ppm concentrations by spray method. Blank and treated samples were aged according to ISIRI4706 standard method for 288 hours. After aging, structural changes have been studied by application of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Results showed that spectra of treated paper samples with Tiophanate methyl and Carbendazim have no structural deformation in both 100ppm and 200ppm concentrations. According to resulted spectra, it was clear that treatment materials have been added to paper but there was not any sign of paper degradation. Accelerated aging caused to production of carbonyl adsorption of the spectra in 1742 cm-1. It was indicated decay of cellulose and presence of new degradation products which results to aesthetical change of paper. Aged samples compared with unaged ones did not show structural deformation in paper due to treatment materials and there was not any sign of breakdown in cellulose linkages. The both of 100ppm and 200ppm treated samples were without damage after accelerated aging. In general, the both treatments do not affect paper structure according to results of infrared spectra.

Conservation and preservation of carpet design cartoons requires a scientific con servation plan appropriate for each case study. The research into the carpet designs of Kerman and Isfahan regions was carried out in 2003 in order to gain access to a comprehensive and exact method for their conservation. In this research, besides the differences in the techniques of producing carpet designs in these regions - based on microscopic observations - the kind of paper fibers used in Kerman was realized as a pine wood byproduct, while the Isfahan region cartoon paper was from ashwhite and pine trees. The kind of dyes that have been used in colouring of carpet designs in Kerman and Isfahan was determined on the basis of the elemental analysis of SEM and FTIR spectrum. Subsequently, the organic origin of the following dyes was established: black, dark- blue, blue, red and the black ink of the checkered paper (manual and printed). The other dyes were mineral. The compound white colour in Kerman carpet designs was white lead and the compound white of Isfahan (except light blue) was zinc oxide.