We’re excited to share our latest publication in ChemPlusChem: “Multi-Analytical Study of Amuletic and Talismanic Islamic-African Paper Manuscripts in the Slovene Ethnographic Museum.”

This study explores a fascinating collection of 50 Islamic-African paper talismanic and amuletic manuscripts, dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, preserved at the Slovene Ethnographic Museum. These manuscripts, originating from Mali, Niger, and Chad, hold deep cultural and spiritual significance.

The research was carried out through an international collaboration between the Slovene Ethnographic Museum and the Heritage Science Lab at the University of Ljubljana, led by Dr. Abdelrazek Elnaggar, as part of the IPERION HS project (FIXLAB). Our partners include the Laser Laboratory for Cultural Heritage Science (LLHS) at IQF-CSIC in Madrid, led by Prof. Dr. Marta Castillejo.

Using cutting-edge techniques—Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), and Raman spectroscopy—we analyzed inks, pigments, paper fibers, and degradation products to uncover the secrets behind these unique artifacts.

Read the full article here: http://doi.org/10.1002/cplu.202500433