ABOUT 8,000 books and journals in the prized Mackintosh Library and 90 oil paintings on canvas were destroyed in the fire at the Glasgow School of Art.

Two paintings by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and one work by Joan Eardley were among those which perished in the blaze at the school's Grade-A listed building.

Part of the GSA's rare book collection and 97 items of furniture which were part of its recognised collection were also lost to the flames in the blaze at the Mackintosh Building on May 23 last year.

But despite the losses, the "vast majority" of the GSA's artefacts survived the fire and painstaking analysis of the remains uncovered some "remarkable finds", according to bosses.

Rare books, parts of a studio clock, the iconic central lights and a silver salver were among the items successfully recovered from the Mackintosh Library.

The discoveries have been made following a 12-week archaeological survey of the GSA's archives and collections.

Kirkdale Archaeology, working with specialist archaeology firm AOC, documented and removed the remains, with all finds being put into storage to be assessed for future conservation work.

The findings show that the majority of the contents of the library were destroyed.

Virtually all the items in the studio above the Mackintosh Library were also lost in the fire. This included much of the collection of oil paintings and the 97 pieces of furniture.

The lost paintings also included a handful of works by former GSA director Francis Henry Newbery. However, all the oils had been digitised and can be accessed via the online archive.

The GSA is not seeking to replace the vast majority of the books and magazines lost from the library.

A priority replacement list was circulated in the aftermath the fire, 25% of which has already been donated.

On a positive note, almost 80% of the rare book collection - which is kept in the main library in the Bourdon Building - survives.

Forensic archaeology of the library also retrieved a number of artefacts, including parts of the studio clock, most of the metal from the lamps in the central light fitting, some of the rare book collection and parts of some of the library chairs and desk.

About 60 pieces of furniture, including many of the major items in the collection, have also survived, with a number already back on public display.