The aim of this project is to produce non-destructive non-invasive image-based processing techniques to aid the historical analysis and examination of significant Mediterranean collections of manuscripts (hosted by libraries and museums in Greece, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus, and Israel).

Digital images from the target manuscripts captured in colour visible, ultraviolet and monochrome infrared will be used to derive computational profiles of the ink and support (paper, papyrus, etc) used.

The final system following a test with undated manuscripts from complementary collections found in Greece and southern Italy will be hosted on an XML-based online database accessible via the Internet.

All historical information discovered during the project will be added to the database to aid future researchers. Finally the suitability of using the profiling techniques for examination of other types of artefacts will also be tested using a collection of religious icons stored in Jordan.