Digital Models of the Codicology of Tibetan Books

Abstract

Goals. The article provides a codicological insight into Tibetan written heritage which gains certain relevance due to that extensive Tibetan collections are currently being introduced into scholarly circulation in Russia. The paper determines specific features of traditional Tibetan-Mongolian book production — the former being subject to codicological research — such as book types and formats, characteristics of paper, various design elements and marginalia, etc. Methods. Modern approaches to the study and attribution of Tibetan written monuments are examined through the analysis of most successful international initiatives advanced by the British Library, Harvard University, etc. Results. The work establishes main parameters of book description related to physical features, cultural and social contexts of its creation and existence. The obtained outcomes made it possible to enhance the digital codicological model for Tibetan book monuments at the Center of Oriental Manuscripts and Monuments. The accumulation of data collected during the codicological study of large Tibetan collections and their processing with digital methods (statistical, geoinformation ones, etc.) also yield some important quantitative indicators to determine key directions, intensity and features of cultural interaction between Russia’s East — and countries of East and Inner Asia largely influenced by Tibetan culture.

Keywords

• tibetan book culture
• written monument
• codicology
• information technologies
• databases
• tibet