Multispectral Imaging Data of Torah scroll "Vat. Ebr. 2" captured at Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana

This multispectral data of the Torah scroll "Vat. Ebr 2" was captured at the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana in June 2023. The goal of the imaging session was to visualize reinked letters, corrections and other otherwise invisible features of the scroll. The MSI images are intended to help choose smaller areas and spots for measurements with XRF, Raman or FTIR. Additionally, they provide information about the conservation condition, for example displaying levels of mold damage. The scroll was previously digitized in great resolution from both sides. Link to digitized scroll (Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana) In this MSI campaign only the text side of the scroll was imaged. The MSI campaign was co-organised by the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC), the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM). Imaging was carried out using the CSMC MegaVision multispectral imaging system. The MSI system was operated by the CSMC staff, the scroll was handled by the staff of the Vatican Library digitization and conservation departments. (See contributors)

Preview JPEGs in sRGB color space are compressed and of lower quality and are only intended for quick previewing. Original, high quality, CIELAB TIF images can be found in the PROCESSED folders within each ZIP file. Each uploaded ZIP file contains the flattened, processed and color images for a single sheet of the scroll. Raw images are not included in this dataset simply for size reduction purposes. Raw images are stored internally on the servers of CSMC and, if necessary, can be separately accessed upon a reasonable request. For information about filenames and folder structure as well as MSI system, please see the files in the "info" folder and read the Brief Descriptions of Multispectral Imaging (MSI) Datasets.

Image processing was performed with Hoku image processing software. In each processed folder there are 6 images. A visible light color image called "PSC", an image highlighting the reinking called "Reinking", an image highlighting the texture called "Texture", an image showing the mold damage on sheets where mold is present called "Mold", as well as two pseudocolor images called "UVB_Composite" showing fluorescing materials present on the sheets and a "Pseudocolor" image which color-codes the reinking in blue and red for better visibility and as an alternative to the greyscale "Reinking" image.