Papyrus
Introduction
Papyrus was an important writing material. Thanks to its special qualities, the Constitutio Antoniniana still exists 1800 years after it was put down in writing.
Known History of the Constitutio Antoniniana
This page describes the known history of the Constitutio Antoniniana, from the promulgation of the edict to the inscription of the papyrus document on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
Making Papyrus
This page describes the origin and making of papyrus, the material on which the Constitutio Antoniniana was written.
Restoration
Conservation of the Papyrus Gissensis 40, initially undertaken by Hugo Ibscher, had to be resumed after the document suffered water damage during and after World War II
The University Library’s Papyrus Collection
This section of the website provides more detail on the university library’s papyrus collection, which comprises several partial collections. You will find information on where digitized copies of papyri and ostraca are accessible online and on how originals are stored.