A collection of Sinhalese olas from Ceylon on medical subjects
Content Description
The collection consists of 25 Sinhalese olas (manuscripts written on palm leaves) from Ceylon on medical subjects, written between 1400 and 1770 ce, by Vederalas (native Ceylon doctors). The collection also includes some miscellaneous palm leaves with writing that are fragments from other non-medical olas.
Dates
- 1400 - 1770
Extent
2 Boxes ; 10 X 52 X 42 cm
Language of Materials
Multiple languages
Arrangement
The olas are kept in two boxes that are arranged in chronological order.
Condition Description
The olas are fragile but in fair to good condition.
Physical Description of the Olas
The olas consist of either Talipot or Palmyra palm leaves, which in some cases are held between two lacquered board covers by a cord (wound around the ola) attached at one end to a button or medallion, and at the other to a ball, tassle, or simple knot. The covers are not original but are modern following the original design. Other olas are just tied together with a cord, or the leaves are joined accordion style and housed in archival envelopes. The writing on the palm leaves was done using a sharp stylus (an example of which is included in the collection).
Source
- Wood, Casey A. (Casey Albert), 1856-1942 (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the collection of Sinhalese olas on medical subjects in the Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center
- Status
- completed
- Author
- Tony Olson
- Date
- 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Sinhalese olas or book-manuscripts written on prepared palm-leaves and how they were made / by Andreas Nell.
Repository Details
Part of the Galter Health Sciences Library & Learning Center Repository
303 E. Chicago Avenue
Chicago IL 60611-3008 US
312-503-1913
ghsl-specialcollections@northwestern.edu