Liturgy Matters | Katie Bugyis || Radcliffe Institute

TL;DR

Researchers have discovered evidence that medieval nuns played a significant role in book production, challenging the long-held assumption that monks were the primary producers. The discovery of a medieval nun with ultramarine pigment in her teeth has shed light on the artistic and literary contributions of nuns in the Middle Ages.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] - So it's really a privilege to be up here this afternoon. I want to first thank Meredith. I'm going to get emotional about this. Meredith has spent so much time crafting the introductions for each and every fellow before their presentations. And I think it is just but one expression of her incredible kindness, generosity, and also ... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙈 The discovery of ultramarine pigment in a medieval nun's teeth challenges the traditional belief that monks were the primary producers of books in the Middle Ages.
• 🖐️ Evidence from medieval manuscripts suggests that nuns played a significant role in book production, but their contributions have often been overlooked.
• 👻 Liturgical books were essential for nuns' daily practices, and studying them allows researchers to understand the liturgical roles and practices of medieval nuns.
• 🕵️‍♀️ The limited surviving books and historical documentation contribute to the invisibility of female scribes and their unrecognized contributions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did researchers determine that the ultramarine pigment found in the nun's teeth was used for book illumination?

Researchers consulted experts in archaeology, anthropology, biology, and history, who determined that the most likely explanation for the presence of the pigment was that the nun was an illuminator who used to lick her brush to create a fine point. This conclusion is supported by the limited use of ultramarine in medieval book production, reserved for deluxe codices handled by highly trained artists.

Q: What challenges have historians faced in recognizing the artistic and literary contributions of medieval nuns?

The limited number of surviving books from women's monastic libraries, the lack of documentation regarding women's communities, and the tendency of scribes to leave their works unsigned have made it difficult to attribute books to female scribes. As a result, female scribes from the Middle Ages remain poorly visible in the historical record, and their work often goes unrecognized.

Q: What insights can be gained from the pigment discovery?

The presence of ultramarine pigment in the nun's teeth provides concrete proof that nuns played a significant role in book production, challenging long-held assumptions about their capabilities. The discovery highlights the need to further investigate and recognize the artistic and literary contributions of medieval nuns.

Q: How do liturgical books contribute to our understanding of medieval nuns' practices?

Liturgical books were essential to nuns' daily liturgical practices, enabling them to remember prayers, readings, chants, and actions. The survival and study of these books allow researchers to reconstruct the liturgical roles and practices of medieval nuns.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A recent discovery of ultramarine pigment in the dental calculus of a medieval nun challenges the assumption that monks were the primary producers of books in the Middle Ages.

• The presence of the pigment suggests that the nun may have been an illuminator or responsible for preparing pigments for her community.

• Evidence from medieval manuscripts suggests that nuns played a greater role in book production than previously recognized, but their contributions have often gone unnoticed due to limited surviving books and historical documentation.