Palm leaf was abundantly used for writing, as well as for painting in India, Ceylon, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and other eastern countries. The trees which produce palms are of two types -- the Palamyra palm and the Talipot palm. Palm leaves have to be processed in a special manner to make them ready for writing. Writing was done in two main ways -- by incising and by writing with pen or brush. Causes of deterioration and methods of treatment are discussed. -- AATA