Palimpsest a historic emblem of reuse

The Hindu : Page 07

Syllabus : Prelims Fact

A palimpsest is a reused parchment page with original text scraped or washed off, leaving traces called underwriting. Scholars decipher these traces to access historical texts.

•   The term also metaphorically describes eroded craters in astronomy and successive geological features formed at the same location over time.

About palimpsest:

•   Definition: A palimpsest is a page or manuscript from which the original text has been scraped or washed off to make room for new writing.
•  Historical Use: Historically, parchment made from untanned animal skins, especially goats, was expensive, leading to its reuse.
•   Methods of Erasure:

o  Early methods involved using milk and oat bran to wash off text, often leaving faint traces known as underwriting.

o  In the late mediaeval period, pumice was used to scrape off text more permanently.

•   Scholarly Importance: Modern scholars decipher underwriting to access historical texts, employing techniques like machine learning.
•   Famous Examples: Notable works that have survived as palimpsests include the Sana’a palimpsest, the Archimedes palimpsest, and Cicero’s ‘De re publica’.
•  Metaphorical Use: The term is used in other fields:

o  Astronomy: Refers to eroded craters on planetary bodies.

o  Geology: Describes natural features created by successive structures at the same location over time.

 UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2014

Ques: The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from:

a)    Katha Upanishad

b)   Chandogya Upanishad

c)    Aitareya Upanishad

d)   Mundaka Upanishad 

Ans : d)