Evidence that the Vinland Map Was Drawn Using an Iron Gall Ink: The Continuing Need for Further Research

Jacqueline S Olin

doi:10.4236/aces.2012.24063

Abstract

The Vinland Map is a map of the world that shows “the island of Vinland” in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. It is housed in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. The Map has been purported to date from the Council of Basle, AD 1431-1449. The nature of the ink of the Map has not been identified. It has been suggested that it may be an iron gall ink, a carbon ink or an ink that contains anatase and gelatin and perhaps other unknown constituents. This paper will present evidence that supports the ink being an iron gall ink. It is intended that this evidence will encourage further research.

Highlights

The controversy surrounding the Beinecke Library’s Vinland Map was originally based on cartographic questions regarding whether it was possible that this map was drawn at the time proposed by the authors of the Yale University Press publication, The Vinland Map and the Tartar Relation [1]
The identification of carbon in the ink of the Vinland Map using Raman spectroscopy has been reported [12]. This point has been used as evidence that the Vinland Map ink is not an iron ink and the composition of the Map ink has been compared to that of the Tartar Relation in that regard
In 2003, this author explained in her paper in Analytical Chemistry that carbon was often added to iron gall ink and its presence in the ink of the Vinland Map is not proof that the Map ink is not an iron gall ink [13]

Summary

Introduction

The controversy surrounding the Beinecke Library’s Vinland Map was originally based on cartographic questions regarding whether it was possible that this map was drawn at the time proposed by the authors of the Yale University Press publication, The Vinland Map and the Tartar Relation [1]. McCrone Associates, Inc. published the results of their study of the ink of the Vinland Map and declared that the ink contains anatase titanium dioxide and that it was present as a pigment that had not been produced until the early 20th century. This prompted Yale University to identify the Vinland Map as a forgery. The description of what was observed in the Research Laboratory that is given above is the information we have It is not clear whether the lack of absorption of ultraviolet fluorescence was over the entire surface of the Map or rather on much of the surface. A currently prepared image taken of the Vinland Map under ultraviolet light would be valuable to include in the discussion

Review of Research on UV Examination of Iron Gall Inks

Evidence That Supports Flaking of Ink from Vinland Map

Summary of Evidence to Date on Nature of Vinland Map Ink

Radiocarbon Date of Vinland Map Parchment

Findings

Recommendations for Further Research