Supplemental Support for the Digital Restoration of the Herculaneum Papyri

Abstract This grant will be directed to the Biblioteca Nazionale di Napoli (the National Library in Naples, Italy) to support the completion of the physical stabilization and restoration of Herculaneum material that – in its current state – is not able to be digitized. The work will be performed on site in Naples by conservators selected by the Director of the Library, and will produce approximately 350~400 new trays of fragmentary Herculaneum papyrus that until now has been inaccessible and at risk due to its temporary state of conservation. Once the conservation work is completed, the stable trays will be imaged using our customized photogrammetry and spectral photography kits, which remain on-site in expectation of this work.