Tea-Break Archaeology · The Archaeology Podcast Network

The Voynich Manuscript with Dr Lisa Fagin Davis (part 2) - Ep 41

November 18, 2025·40 min·5 clips

Tea-Break Archaeology returns to the Voynich Manuscript for a second conversation with Lisa Fagan-Davis. Matilda opens by picking up where the previous episode left off and asks what first drew Lisa to the manuscript. Lisa says she met it in graduate school at Yale, connecting that moment to her study of Latin Paleography and her broader work in codicology. She also describes the manuscript in anthropological terms, as something with a long life, which keeps it feeling active rather than sealed away. The conversation stays focused on how expertise builds over time. Lisa is careful to note that many people study the manuscript seriously. She says she is probably among the people who have had their hands on it the most. That distinction matters to her, because handling is not the same as reading about it. From there, the episode moves into imaging and preservation. Lisa and Matilda discuss multispectral imaging as a way to learn more from the manuscript. The idea is appealing because it could reveal details across the whole object. But the conversation does not treat it as an easy win. Lisa explains that exposing the manuscript to light carries risk. She notes that handling a manuscript can always cause damage, including tearing, adding an unwanted fold, or ripping something. Because of that, the final decision sits with the library and its curators, conservators, director, lawyers, and insurance people. The episode makes room for that caution instead of skating past it. It also notes that newer imaging technology reduces some of the exposure risk compared with 10 years ago. Even so, the choice still depends on whether the possible discovery is worth the possible harm. Matilda reacts as the tradeoff becomes clearer in real time. Lisa emphasizes that the manuscript belongs to the library, so it is their call. The episode ends with mention of a blog post on the manuscript road trip about multispectral imaging analytics. A final tea break brings the conversation back to the show’s familiar, informal rhythm.

As heard by us

A careful, curious look at a manuscript that still refuses to give itself away.

Tea-Break Archaeology treats the Voynich Manuscript as a slow, thoughtful study of curiosity, evidence, and the limits of handling a historic object.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play if you want the Voynich Manuscript handled by a specialist who treats evidence, uncertainty, and preservation seriously.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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