Hiding in plain sight: The biomolecular identification of pinniped use in medieval manuscripts – MALDI and mtDNA data set

Taking advantage of the diversity of bindings in Cistercian libraries during the 12th and 13th centuries, this study focuses on the biocodicological analysis of medieval bindings, with particular emphasis on the use of sealskins. Using innovative methods such as eZooMS and aDNA analysis, this research identifies the species and origin of the leather used as pinniped (seal) species.

In particular, the collagen-based eZooMS technique facilitated the classification of seven chemises into the pinniped clade, although species identification remained elusive, with one exception. aDNA analysis was instrumental in verifying the origin of the sealskins, with most samples matching harbour and harp seals and sourced to populations in Scandinavia, Scotland, and Iceland or Greenland. This supports the notion of a robust medieval trade network that went well beyond local sourcing, linking the Cistercians to wider economic circuits that included fur trade with the Norse.