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The mission of the this laboratory is to apply digital imaging algorithms and technologies to
clarify ancient documents, including text material written on parchment and papyrus and on and
within clay tablets. Imaging technologies including digital electronic cameras and xerographic
printers are used to gather and print images, and image processing algorithms are developed
and applied for monochrome, color, and multispectral images.
The lab is partially funded by a Center for Advanced Technology Grant (CAT), which is a grant
program administered by the New York State Science and Technology Foundation. The CAT helps
support the Center for Electronic Imaging Systems, which is a joint effort of the University
of Rochester and RIT. The CAT program is intended to facilitate and encourage economic growth
in New York State by funding promising new technologies that may lead to establishment of new
employment.
Besides the Dead Sea Scrolls, the lab also works on the imaging of low-relief clay tablets
with raking illumination to bring out features as well as forensic imaging (image clarification
and enhancement) applied to evidence.
Bob Johnston, who is the principle scientist in the lab, has been working in archeology
for many years that include many trips to digs in the near east. In the course of this work,
he was an early advocate of applying imaging technologies to the study of antiquities.
For example, he was among the first to use xerographic x-ray imaging (xeroradiography) to view
structure within clay pottery and writings on clay tablets stored within clay containers
without damaging the container. The work with scrolls resulted from his many contacts in
archeology.
- Lab Members
- Methodology of Digital Image Restoration
- Published Work
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