Artificial intelligence based writer identification generates new evidence for the unknown scribes of the Dead Sea Scrolls exemplified by the Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaa)

The Dead Sea Scrolls are tangible evidence of the Bible’s ancient scribal culture. This study takes an innovative approach to palaeography—the handwriting—as a new entry point access this One problems palaeography is determine writer identity or difference when writing style near uniform. exemplified by Great Isaiah Scroll (1QIsa ). To end, we use pattern recognition and artificial intelligence techniques innovate scrolls pioneer microlevel individual scribes open We report for breaking in series columns scroll. Without prior assumption identity, based on clouds reduced-dimensionality feature-space, found that from first second halves manuscript ended up two distinct zones such scatter plots, notably range digital tools, each addressing very different featural aspects script samples. In secondary, independent, analysis, now assuming using yet another independent feature method several types statistical testing, switching was column series. A clear phase transition apparent 27–29. also demonstrated distance variances variance higher part manuscript. Given statistically significant differences between halves, tertiary, post-hoc analysis performed visual inspection character heatmaps most discriminative Fraglet sets script. Demonstrating main scribes, showing patterns, were responsible Scroll, sheds light culture providing new, biblical texts not copied single scribe only but multiple while carefully mirroring scribe’s style, could closely collaborate one particular