The topic of this project is to study techniques that can be used for vision-based jigsaw puzzle solving. The goal is to create a tool that can assist researchers in reconstructing fragmentary parchment rolls based on the shape (and possibly content) of individual pieces of the rolls. The project is done in collaboration with Dr Jutta Jokiranta at the Academy of Finland Centre of Excellence Changes in Sacred Texts and Traditions. The data are in the form of high-quality photographs of a set of manuscripts included in the so called Dead Sea Scrolls. The methods used in the project will involve on one hand algorithms for finding good candidate solutions, and on the other hand graphical user interface techniques for assisting the researcher in selecting the most suitable solutions and fine tuning the reconstruction. The topic can be adjusted to emphasize either the computational or the user-interface aspects more.

Some funding is available in the project. Please contact Teemu Roos for additional information.

Prerequisites:

• Familiarity with Matlab/Octave, R, Python, or other programming environment suitable for optimization,
• some techniques for creating graphical user-interfaces.

Background reading:

• Mika Pajunen, The Land to the Elect and Justice for All: Reading Psalms in the Dead Sea Scrolls in Light of 4Q381, Vandelhoeck & Ruprecht: Göttingen, 2013; Section 2 "Material Reconstruction of Manuscript 4Q381"