Examples of Projects at MIKRA
Video Interview 2: Tracing the Text Through Time; in “From Tablets to Torah Scrolls”
Learn how the amazing, detective-like work of paleography has helped us understand the way in which the biblical text has been transmitted over time. What clues exist within the manuscripts that help paleographers determine their age and place of origin? What do the very earliest manuscripts tell us and are there passages within Scripture that illuminate how and when copying the text became more prominent?
Video Interview 1: Making Biblical Manuscripts Available; in “From Tablets to Torah Scrolls”
MIKRA will be launching a new app called MIKRA View which will allow anyone to gain access to ancient biblical manuscripts. This means laypeople, scholars, and institutions alike will be able to have an encounter with and study biblical scrolls and manuscripts in their original languages. People with the app will also have access to MIKRA’s research on the manuscripts that are featured, as well as be able to upload their own notes to the platform.
Late 18th - early 9th century Polish Sefer Torah
Research Projects
Paleographical Analysis. Our paleography team consists of trained specialists who provide expert analysis of manuscripts to determine their likely time and place of origin. In the example pictured, we were able to determine that the features of this scroll are most consistent with those of western Poland from the late 18th-19th century. This work can be performed remotely by analysis of digitized images. In other cases, we can perform digitization and/or repair and maintenance work as needed. All repair work is performed by certified specialists. For report samples, see Paleographical Analysis below and contact us for more information.
Textual Analysis. We analyze and document the specific textual features of select Judeo-Christian manuscripts. Aspects of textual analysis include, but are not limited to, the identification and interpretation of present Masoretic features (when relevant), marginalia, paratextual elements, editorial notations/colophons, and text critical or Torah critical features.
Technologies. In one project, we experimented with optical character resolution technologies on about a dozen ancient Greek manuscripts. The goal was to train an OCR platform to recognize the non-standardized script characteristic of these handwritten manuscripts.
In March 2019, MIKRA was featured in a cinematic documentary on the origins of the Pentateuch. We have an ongoing partnership with the sponsoring entity to produce usable research in support of their mission.
In 2018 and 2019, our team traveled to Ethiopia in collaboration with key institutions and officials for a proposed manuscript restoration project, and our extended team has hosted an Ethiopian delegation in London to talk through details.
In 2019, our exhibit team conducted exhibits in three US State House facilities, as well as numerous other public and private venues.
In September 2018, we finished compiling the manuscript and display items for a new exhibit on the history of the English Bible. The exhibit was initially tested in both Florida and Arkansas before making its way around the US.
At present, we are currently developing courses in collaboration with institutions of higher learning to maximize online options in disciplines with which we regularly engage. These include biblical languages and worldview studies. See here for more updates.
We are currently exploring collaborative projects to publish facsimiles of medieval biblical manuscripts housed in Europe. In these cases, the goal is to provide viable options for institutions, as well as individuals, wishing to access or acquire important, historic texts, while continuing to safe-guard the original source texts. We hope these initiatives will contribute a viable solution to long term concerns related to cultural heritage preservation.
Institute
We feature select courses though the MIKRA Institute in partnership with accredited seminaries and universities in our affiliated partners network. We are currently collaborating with the Brookes Bible College of St. Louis, Missouri to offer courses on a regular basis. Stayed tuned for more developments about this partnership.
This photo is used by permission of the Arkansas Secretary of State.
Exhibits
Planning for new exhibits is always underway! Stay tuned to our news feed for more information on when and where. In the meantime, check out our past exhibits here.
Paleographical Analysis
For the remainder of this report, see PALEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSES. You will have to create a free Academia.edu account, if you do not already have one.