Little is currently known about the book, which was written 1,200 years ago and has resided at TCD for the past 246 years. But for the past 18 months, scientists have been using 'Raman spectroscopy' to analyse some of the minerals used to make the colours in the tome. It is hoped the technology will prove that substances used in the manuscript have come from all over the world . . . suggesting extraordinary trade routes for the ninth century.

"Some of the colours were made from vegetables, some were made from minerals, some were made from insects, " said TCD librarian, Robin Adams. "We're hoping this technology will tell us what the minerals are, so that we can look at where they came from and therefore what trade links existed at that time."

In the past, experts have assumed that the blue pigments in the book may have come from the gemstone lapis lazuli, which is mined in north-east Afghanistan.

The yellow pigments are believed to have been made from arsenic sulphide, and the reddish Kermes pigments may have come from the dried pregnant bodies of a Mediterranean insect.

Adams said he could not speculate on whether the laser analysis would prove or disprove any of these theories. "I can't say anything until we release the research at the end of the year, " he said.

"However, we will certainly find new things, that's for sure. I am very confident of getting new information about what the monks used."

When the laser analysis is finished, another phase of research will begin on the manuscript. The calfskin used to make the pages of the book will undergo DNA analysis in an effort to discover what breed of animal was used. It is hoped that this will reveal the age and source of the vellum, which in turn may reveal the place where the Book of Kells was made . . . a topic of much debate among experts.

Also, a technique called XFR will be used to study the writing and painting in the book. "It's an x-ray approach that is used to tell us about the layers of pigment and how they're built up, " said Adams. "We're hoping it will tell us more about the painting techniques used by the monks."

Adams said he's hoping the manuscript research will answer some of his own questions. "I would like to find out about its relationship with other manuscripts, " he said. "Is the material used in Kells the same as might be used in England or France? We would love to find out how these monastic houses worked as communities and whether the techniques were the same."