Manuscript Culture
Manuscript culture refers to the period in history when books were handwritten rather than printed. This era, which lasted until the 15th century, saw the creation of valuable texts by scribes, often in monasteries. Manuscripts were adorned with illustrations and decorations, making them works of art. Knowledge, literature, and religious texts were preserved in this format, often limited to the wealthy or academic institutions. The advent of the printing press revolutionized this culture, making written material more widely available and accessible, leading to broader literacy and the spread of ideas.
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Manuscript culture refers to the period in history when books were hand-copied rather than printed. This culture thrived from ancient times through the Middle Ages, particularly in monasteries, where monks meticulously transcribed texts, often decorated with illustrations. These manuscripts were valuable for preserving knowledge, literature, and religious texts. Because each copy was produced by hand, manuscripts were rare and expensive, accessible mainly to the wealthy and institutions. With the advent of the printing press in the 15th century, manuscript culture began to decline, paving the way for wider dissemination of written works and the rise of literacy among the general public.