IIS Update 2018

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EXPLORING INTELLECTUAL TREASURES – THE JOURNEY OF A MANUSCRIPT 40 YEARS Exploring Intellectual Treasures – The Journey of a Manuscript (The Commencement of the Mission and most authoritative Ismaili historical work on the early until the establishment of the Fatimids in North Africa. Image: © The For centuries, humans have been fascinated with looking back in time; be it to understand how significant events unfolded or to discover how people lived. It is this desire of discovering and making sense of the past that has led man’s imagination in the pursuit of time-travel. While the prospect of a time-travelling machine may be fictional, some communities are fortunate to have access to a material and literary heritage that enables a better understanding of the past, sheds light on the present and helps inform the direction and shape of the future. It is treasures of this nature that the Ismaili Special Collections Unit (ISCU) at IIS is dedicated to preserving, making them accessible for research and scholarship with a view to sharing this knowledge with wider constituencies. Since its establishment 40 years ago, IIS has dedicated a number of resources 42
THE INSTITUTE OF ISMAILI STUDIES 40 YEARS Exploring primary sources housed at IIS. to building and studying its repository of special collections. Being the largest known repository dedicated to Ismaili literary heritage materials, the collection includes over 3000 manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Indic languages from various time periods, along with rare books, coins, artefacts, medals, archival papers, photographs and memorabilia, amongst other material. When items from the past are gifted to IIS, how are they preserved, managed and studied? Caring for a manuscript involves various steps. Preservation Upon arrival at IIS, a specialist carries out an assessment of a manuscript’s condition and conservation needs. If the manuscript appears to be contaminated - for example, with pest activity, it is housed separately to protect other materials, before arrangements are made for its decontamination and conservation. ISCU also engages in preservation which includes preventive measures such as the use of acid-free boxes along with acid-free tissue papers to house special materials, careful handling and storage in a temperature and humidity controlled environment amongst other things. In order to facilitate minimal handling, many manuscripts are digitised to provide wider access, while the original can be protected from further damage caused by mishandling and various environmental factors. Cataloguing, Research and Publications IIS mandate not only includes the conservation and preservation of these manuscripts, but also to facilitate the research and study of these treasure troves of knowledge. Manuscripts are catalogued by staff in the, and researched and studied by a broad spectrum of scholars from around the world – providing an opportunity to thoroughly explore Ismaili history and heritage. Dr Wafi Momin, Head of the Ismaili Special Collections Unit said: “Besides provoking awe, fascination and curiosity, handling a relic of the past acquires another meaning when it further informs the present. It is as though we have a visitor not only to look after but also to converse with and learn from. That is the beauty of having something passed down to the present – it makes for a more engaged and informed world.” Photo: © The Institute 43
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IIS Update 2018

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