A conservation history of the Ramesseum Papyri (Thirteenth Dynasty papyri)

In 2004 the British Museum instigated a project to re-evaluate fully the group of Thirteenth Dynasty papyri known as the Ramesseum Papyri, the majority of which are now housed in the Department of Ancient Egypt and Sudan at the Museum. This article records the treatment of the find from the time of discovery in 1896 until the present day. The materials and methods used to preserve the manuscripts are presented in the light of our current knowledge, in order to have a better understanding of their condition and evaluate future conservation. Examination and analysis, primarily based on work carried out at the British Museum since the 1980s, is reported. For reference purposes, a detailed list is given containing descriptions, known conservation treatments and the condition of each manuscript.