The physical object known as Nun Guda’s Book of Homilies, a significant artifact of medieval Ethiopian Christianity, required a substrate upon which its text and illustrations could be rendered. This primary requirement dictated the selection of a suitable writing medium, balancing availability, durability, and compatibility with the pigments and inks employed.
The choice of the writing material speaks to the resources available to the religious community responsible for its creation and preservation. The longevity of the codex hinges significantly on the stability of the chosen material, as its resistance to degradation over centuries directly impacts the readability and overall condition of the work. Understanding the composition of the material sheds light on the production techniques and the socio-economic context in which it was produced.
