MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
Astronomy manuscripts
REF N° 2006-01
PART A – ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
1
SUMMARY
The National Library and Archives of Egypt possess a huge collection of scientific manuscripts. This
includes 1169 manuscripts (437 originals and 732 copies), dating from the Hegira centuries. The
oldest manuscript of this collection belongs to Aly Ibn Taleb, and refers to the 1 st Hegira century.
Entitled “Benefit of knowing the start of every month of the year”, it describes how to count the days
of every month of the year based on the process of counting in selling and buying. The most recent
manuscript of this collection belongs to Mohamed Ibn Mostafa El Tantawi, and refers to the 14 th
Hegira century. Entitled “Discovering the way of knowing the time at the heights”, it depicts how to
determine time from the position of the sun in the sky, at any part of the morning light. There are
about 170 authors in this collection which covers a valuable and essential period of scientific history.
2
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
2.1
Name (person or organisation)
Prof. Mohamed Saber Arab
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
The Chairman of the National Library and Archives of Egypt.
2.3
Contact person (s)
Prof. Rifaat Hilal
Head of National Archives Sector
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
Address:
The National Library and Archives of Egypt.
Cornish El Nile- Ramlet Boulac, Cairo-Egypt.
P.O.Box: 11938.
Tel.: 2025795149
Fax: 2025765185
E-mail: chairman@darelkotob.org
3
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
3.1
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
Astronomy manuscripts.
3.2
Description
The National Library and Archives of Egypt possess a huge collection of scientific manuscripts. This
includes 1169 manuscripts (437 originals and 732 copies), dating from the Hegira centuries. The
oldest manuscript of this collection belongs to Aly Ibn Taleb, and refers to the 1st Hegira century.
Entitled "Benefit of knowing the start of every month of the year", it describes how to count the days
of every month of the year based on the process of counting in selling and buying. The most recent
manuscript of this collection belongs to Mohamed Ibn Mostafa El Tantawi, and refers to the 14th
Hegira century. Entitled "Discovering the way of knowing the time at the heights", it depicts how to
determine time from the position of the sun in the sky, at any part of the morning light. There are
about 170 authors in this collection which covers a valuable and essential period of scientific history.
4
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
4.1
Is authenticity established?
Never published before in digital form. The manuscripts of astronomy preserved in the
national library of Egypt are distinguished by their originality and uniqueness. They express the
development of Arabic astronomy during a period of ten centuries. Some of them are Arabic
translation of Greek astronomy manuscripts whose Greek origins had been lost and the Arabic
versions maintained the production of the Greek culture. They expressed it honestly. These
translations expressed practically the process of cultural communication between Arabic and previous
cultures. This special collection contains 31unique manuscripts written by their own writers.
4.2
Is world significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability established?
This collection is very important worldwide. Many different schools and universities in Spain and
other European countries are very interested in it. It is unique, rare and valuable as shown below:
1- Historically:
The nominated collection refers to the beginning of the Islamic Centuries and covers the period up
until 14th Hegira Century (20 AD), reflecting the golden age of writing astronomy manuscripts. The
10 AH (16 AD), produced 56 manuscripts, with 47 manuscripts in the 12 AH. The lowest number was
in the first Islamic Century where there were only two manuscripts. The number of manuscripts
decreased after the second half of 14 AH (20 AD), to 6 manuscripts.
2- Scientifically:
The collection contains the biggest number of names of Arabic scientists who specialized in different
sciences, including Ibn Sinai in medicine; El Hassan Ibn El Haytham in mathematics and physics, and
the discoverer of "Light Theory"; Nassyer El Din El Tomssy and Ibn El Shatter, the discoverers of
"determining time and kiblah"theories. The list is very rich in Muslim and Arab scientists who
increased scientific knowledge through astronomy.
3- Acquisition level:
The collection is rare and contains Arabic, Turkish (72 manuscripts), and Persian (37 manuscripts), as
well as many reproduced copies of the originals from the Hegira Centuries. This collection not only
contains a unique collection of 33 manuscripts written by the original authors, from different Islamic
Centuries, but also manuscripts from the Mohamed Aly (1829 A.D.) era, and refers to The National
Library and Archives of Egypt (Kotobkhana).
4.3
Is one or more of the criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e)
form and style satisfied?
Yes.
Time:
1st Century
Place:
All Islamic countries.
Persons:
Scientists.
Subject and Theme:
Astronomy
Form:
Manuscripts
4.4
Issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management
Yes, there are issues of rarity as the manuscripts are considered as a unique, valuable and rare source
for the researchers and scholars in the field of astronomy all over the world.
5
5.1.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
The owner is The National Library and Archives, The Ministry of Culture, Arab Republic of
Egypt.
Address: Cornish El Nile- Ramlet Boulac, Cairo-Egypt.
P.O.Box: 11938.
5.2
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner)
The Custodian is Prof. Galal Ghandour, Head of National Library Sector.
5.3
Legal status:
(a) Category of ownership
Only owner
(b) Accessibility
Accessible
(c) Copyright status
Reserved to The National Library and Archives of Egypt.
(d) Responsible administration
The National Library and Archives of Egypt.
(e) Other factors
The whole collection belongs to and is owned by the National Library and Archives of Egypt.
6
MANAGEMENT PLAN
6.1
Is there a management plan in existence for this documentary heritage?
Yes, there is a management plan for the mentioned collection.
7
CONSULTATION
7- Consultation:
7-1
(a) The owner of the heritage:
The Egyptian National Archives, the exclusive owner of the national cultural heritage according to the
relevant laws and regulations.
(b) The Custodian:
The Egyptian National Library.
(c) The national or regional Memory of the World committee:
Part B- Subsidiary Information
8- Assessment of Risk:
8.1. Detail the nature and scope of threats to this documentary heritage (see 5.5)
Heat, dust, insect, chemical reactions and viruses.
9- Assessment of Preservation:
9.1. Detail the preservation context of the documentary heritage (see 3.3)
The mentioned collection is going to be stored in ideal environment at the new building of The
Egyptian National Library, in Bab El Khalek.
PART C - LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name) Dr. Mohammed Saber Arab
The Chairman of The National Library & Archives of Egypt
(Signature)………………………………… (Date) 15/01/2006