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Friday, 12th September 2008 (2478 views)

Ancient bibles featuring pages adorned with gold leaf can be browsed for the first time thanks to a high-tech installation, it has been reported.

Although the public cannot physically handle the priceless tomes, a computerised system using a touchscreen enables them to turn the pages, according to religious newspaper the Pilot.

Several thousands of these books, written in over 150 languages, are kept in the Great Hall of the Library of Congress in Washington DC.

Some are even guarded by a golden gate in the Lessing & J Rosenwald room.

The more modern electronic method was installed earlier this year in a bid to display the centuries-old pieces without risk of damage.

Mark Dimunation, the chief of the library's rare book division, told the paper: "They are all accessible to the public … as long as you are over the age of 18 and registered."

Meanwhile, jewellery thought to date back to biblical times is currently being shown at an exhibition in Israel.

 

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