Introduction and scientific study of unique manuscript of the Nezami’s Panj Ganj in central library and documentation centre of University of Tehran

The objective of this study is to identify the different ingredients used in the manuscript of the Nezami’s Panj Ganj. This unique illustrated version belongs to the Mughal era in the eighth century AH and it has been purchased by central library and documentation centre of University of Tehran in 1346. According to the exquisite nature of this work and limitations of sampling, non-destructive methods such as optical microscope polarizing (PLM), spectroscopy, Portable fluorescence X-ray (micro-XRF) and spectroscopy Fourier- transform infrared equipped Attenuted total reflectance (ATR) was used and the ingredients available in paper and the colours have been used in the decorations and paintings of this manuscript have been identified. The results showed that in the paper text and the margin of this manuscript, mixture of linen and hemp has been used by different percentages. The paintings of this manuscript have been drawing on a layer of white Huntite (double carbonate of magnesium and calcium). In the headpiece and paintings of this manuscript, vermilion, ultramarine, indigo, orpiment, verdigris, gold, charcoal and Huntite pigments used and in some colours like pink, orange, gray and brown mixture of two or three pigments has been used. All pigments and materials have been used in the production of paper and colours were known and common at the time of writing the script.