Abstract

The whole world is filled with cultural heritage of all kinds generated by our ancestors. A large number of monuments, artefacts and manuscripts spread all over the world are finest examples of the artistic, scientific, architectural knowledge. These rich cultural heritages are a symbol of men’s cultural identity and continuity. Cultural heritage is unique and irreplaceable, which places the responsibility of preservation on the present generation. Deterioration is a loss of structural capacity with time by the action of the external agents or material leaching (Saiz and Laiz, 2000). The worldwide distribution of manuscripts contains rich intellectual diverse cultural heritage, which are the legacy of traditional wisdom and priceless Devine knowledge of thousand years back. Manuscripts are the important cultural heritages which often found neglected many parts around the world for decades. But more importantly manuscripts are needed to be conserve for safeguarding the records of the past history, culture and traditional knowledge. India possesses one of the largest collections of manuscripts comprising more than five million of manuscripts on different materials. Manuscripts are handwritten documents on paper, palm leaf, leather, textile or other materials written more than seventy-five years old that have significant historical, scientific or aesthetic value. There are several factors that deteriorate the manuscripts. The deterioration of heritage collection are reflected in the form of shrinkage, cracks, brittleness, warping, wear and tear, abrasion, bio-infestation, discoloration, holes, dirt and dust accumulation etc. The ravages of time, and extreme climatic conditions such as changes in temperature, humidity, intensity of light or even ignorance and most important biological agents, often destroyed priceless cultural property and records. It is therefore imperative that measures be taken at the earliest and in time to save and preserve these culture and heritage for posterity. This research paper contains an understanding of physical, chemical and biological agents, required to identify accurately so the proper conservation step can take to preserve this cultural heritage. “Cultural Heritage is an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation.”

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