A palimpsest is a manuscript or piece of writing material that has been reused after the original text has been erased or scraped off. This practice was common in ancient times when writing materials like parchment were expensive and scarce. The term can also refer to the layers of text that remain visible beneath the surface, revealing the history of the document. In a broader sense, the concept of a palimpsest can apply to various fields, including literature, history, and urban studies. It symbolizes how new ideas or cultures can overlay and interact with older ones, creating a complex tapestry of meaning and context.