Hollaus F. Fiel, Stefan, Saleem, Sajid. Manuscipt Investigation in the Sinai II Project

Sablating, R.; Camba, A.Proceedings of the UNESCO Conference Digital Presentation and Preservation of Cultural and Scientific Heritage IV 2014, VelikoTarnovo (Bulgaria).
pp.200-205. ISSN: 1314-4006.
Publishing House: Институт по математика и информатика - Българска академия на науките.This work is concerned with the analysis of historical manuscripts. The manuscripts investigated are partially in a bad condition, due to their age, bad storage conditions etc. These circumstances impede a transcription of the ancient writings, as well as the application of document image analysis methods. Therefore, the writings are imaged with a portable MultiSpectral Imaging acquisition system. By using this non-invasive investigation technique the contrast of the degraded and faded-out writings can be enhanced. In order to gain a further contrast enhancement, a post-processing method has been developed. Additionally, two document analysis methods have been developed in order to facilitate the work of scholars: First, an Optical Character Recognition is de-scribed. Second, a method designed for the automated identification of writers of ancient Slavic manuscripts is explained. This paper provides an overview on the manuscript investigation techniques mentioned.