Thursday, April 28, 2011

Palm Leaf Book

The Special Collections library at the University of Southern Mississippi has images of a Palm Leaf Manuscript. The palm leaf is thought by many to be among the first writing materials used more than 6,000 years ago.

Purdue University library's Archives and Special Collections defines what a Palm leaf book in their collection looks like:

A "book" written on several leaves from a palm tree sewn together. The "book" is bound between two pieces of lacquered wood, 14 1/2 " long, 2 1/4" wide, 2 ' deep.
 And provides, with citation, the same information that is found at the University of Southern Mississippi Special Collections page on Palm Books.

The book located at Purdue University is described as being written in Malayalam and being in fragile condition that required great care when viewed.

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