Film on manuscript conservation in Timbuktu

"The Ancient Astronomers of Timbuktu: The Quest for Stars in the
    Sand: Guiding us to Africa's forgotten past"
A documentary film

The film reveals the work done by conservators and manuscript owners
who face the daunting task of conserving the brittle and damaged
manuscripts of Timbuktu before this valuable history is lost forever
in the sands of the Sahara.

Manuscript conservators, Alexio Motsi and Mary Minicka, working
alongside Malian trainees, fight against the elements to preserve
these invaluable documents at the famed Ahmed Baba Centre. They
design a system for storing these precious papers for the centuries
ahead. After a painstaking process of dry cleaning, the manuscripts
are placed in individually made boxes for safekeeping.

Manuscript owners from the Mamma Haidara Commemorative Library and
the Fondo Kati Library reveal the backgrounds to their valuable
heirlooms.

A group of modern scientists engage in the first exploration of the
scientific contents of the manuscript archives.

Astrophysicist Dr Medupe, works together with Islamic Science
Historian Dr Petra Schmidl on deciphering the meaning and
significance of these fascinating papers. With comment from Islamic
Science Historians Prof George Saliba and Dr John Steele we reveal
the historical background to the information found in the
manuscripts and the relevance of Timbuktu's Islamic history.

Throughout the documentary recreations of life in medieval Timbuktu
illustrate and enhance discoveries--bringing to life the ancient
work of these African academics.

The Ancient Astronomers of Timbuktu documentary film shows the
relevance and importance of manuscript conservation today. Making
certain these papers survive to provide coming generations of
researchers access to the valuable information they hold.

For additional information and conservation and research links see

    <URL:http://www.astronomersoftimbuktu.com>

The Ancient Astronomers of Timbuktu DVD is available with French and
Arabic sub titles and contains extra interview sections.

The DVD is available worldwide from
<URL:http://www.astronomersoftimbuktu.com> or
<URL:http://www.planetarium.co.za>

Sharron Hawkes
Producer. Dogged Films
27 8th Avenue
Bezuidenhout Valley
2094 Johannesburg
South Africa


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:11
                  Distributed: Tuesday, August 3, 2010
                       Message Id: cdl-24-11-008
                                  ***