the scribe wrote them. >> reporter: in the seventh century, this would have been very precious. >> yeah, and it was apparently made to be placed in st. cuthbert's coffin on the occasion of his elevation to sainthood. so st. cuthbert, one of the foremost leaders -- >> reporter: so really wasn't written to be read then? it was written to be placed in a coffin? >> apparently, yeah. that's the beginning of st. john's gospel. >> reporter: the bible will now go on public display. a chance to see a literary survivor from britain's dark ages. david sillito, bbc news. >> good to see she was using some gloves with it. >> that's what i was paying attention to. something that old, where is the latex, baby girl. >> you need gloves. >> this book is old. look at this. that was kind of weird to me. safety first. protect yourself. >> protect that book. >> protect that book. coming up next, more excitement. they are mighty animals, and they are mighty hungry. >> big excitement. how polar bears struggle to feed themselves and their young. you're watching "world news