Reading closed books

There are quite a few ancient texts that cannot presently be read. Some are illegible, while others have become too delicate to be handled: books that cannot be opened, scrolls that cannot be unrolled. But it appears that a breakthrough may be at hand via Britain's Diamond Synchrotron. The BBC reports:

Now, scientists from the University of Cardiff have developed a technique that uses a powerful X-ray source to create a three-dimensional image of an iron-inked document.

The team then applies a computer algorithm to separate the image into the different layers of parchment, in effect using the program to unroll the scroll. . .

Another target of the project is to image documents before they become too damaged, to monitor levels of gelatine.

The team can then advise on the most appropriate conservation methods, depending on the state of the parchment.

Posted by David on September 14, 2007 1:02 PM