Warwick University Brings History to Life with Restored Venetian Parchment

Researchers at The University of Warwick’s Warwick Venice Centre have restored a significant historical document that has been lost for more than 70 years.

Unveiled on 10 December 2024 at a special event at the Venice State Archives, the parchment provides an insightful testimony on the Venetian merchants who continued the journey of Marco Polo in Asia during the decade following his death.

Stored at the Venice State Archives it details the travels, investments and commercial enterprises of six Venetian nobles who, after returning from China, embarked on another journey to the Sultanate of Delhi in 1338.

Professor Luca Mola, Director at the Warwick Venice Centre who rediscovered the document said: “The parchment is a unique window into the active trade routes that brought East and West together in the 13-15^thcenturies, and which have had a permanent impact on our respective worlds and the way we live our lives today”.

Dr Mola added: “It is exciting to analyse in detail such a rich testimony of the connections between Europe and Asia taking place, just a few years after the death of the great merchant, explorer and writer Marco Polo. It is also a starting point and a source of inspiration for conducting new research that will enrich our knowledge of a period in history when cross-continental connections were based on the exchange of goods and know-how, with reciprocal benefits.”

The parchment also reveals how explorative expeditions were financed in the 14^thcentury by small donations, an early version of crowd-source funding. It reveals how women as well as men donated, offering a unique perspective that challenges the usual history told of powerful men and institutions.

The parchment is also the earliest proof that a major new European invention of the time – the mechanical clock – was brought to Asia.

Professor Andrea Erboso, Director of Venice State Archives said: “The collaboration with the University of Warwick is hugely important, we share a common aim to preserve and restore documents for future generations. Every time you spotlight a document you find something new. Through taking Marco Polo as a starting point and restoring this particular parchment, we enlarge our point of view significantly. We are able to explore and discover the lives of merchants travelling around Europe and Asia in the middle ages, discovering more secrets and broadening our knowledge.”

Professor Michael Scott, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) added: “Warwick is immensely proud to work with its Venetian partners to bring this parchment back to life and preserve it for the future. It speaks not only to the complexities, vibrancy and opportunities of global trade today, but also – in our involvement in its restoration and investigation – the critical role of universities in facilitating global cultural exchange, collaboration and understanding in the 21^stcentury.”

The historic parchment was restored by professional restorer, chosen by Venice State Archives, Luana Franceschet.

The project was undertaken as part of the University’s Marco Polo International Programme. The Programme brings students, researchers and local communities from Warwick and 35 other global institutions together in a series of events, research projects and educational initiatives designed to highlight the power, impact and importance of cultural exchange and engagement in the past and in the present.

The University of Warwick is also a member of the EUTOPIA alliance, delivering open, innovative and inclusive higher education in Europe. The mission of EUTOPIA is to build a unique and daring alliance of transformative and engaged institutions. There is already a close partnership with Ca’ Foscari (University of Venice), one of the EUTOPIA partners, and the Warwick Venice Centre further strengthens the University’s international education and research work.