The PAMELA (Papyri and Manuscripts: Exploring Layers of Ages) project is a pioneering initiative that transforms the study of Greek papyri and medieval manuscripts by integrating traditionally separate disciplines. Through a unique synergy of papyrology, manuscript studies, conservation science, AI-driven paleographic analysis, and material sciences, PAMELA introduces a new research paradigm for understanding the transmission and preservation of written heritage across historical periods.
Despite being housed in the same libraries and archives, papyri and manuscripts are rarely studied together due to disciplinary divides. PAMELA bridges this gap by fostering knowledge exchange between historians, digital humanities specialists, scientists, and technologists, redefining how these materials are analyzed. The project employs AI-assisted script recognition, non-invasive material studies, and digital reconstruction techniques, leading to deeper insights into textual transmission, manuscript production, and conservation strategies.
A key focus of PAMELA is training early-career researchers, equipping them with highly transferable skills in data science, digital humanities, and project management. International secondments will facilitate intersectoral collaboration between academic institutions, cultural heritage organizations, and private-sector technology firms, ensuring a robust exchange of expertise.
By developing open-access resources, digital repositories, and standardized methodologies, PAMELA will set a new standard in manuscript research and heritage preservation. Aligning with the MSCA Staff Exchanges scheme, the project fosters long-term collaboration, ensuring that the legacy of ancient and medieval texts remains accessible, scientifically advanced, and sustainable for future generations.
Grant agreement ID
101236480
https://doi.org/10.3030/101236480
Coordinated by
UNIVERZITA KARLOVA
Czechia
EC signature date
1 September 2025
Start date
1 January 2026
End date
31 December 2029
Funded under
Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Actions
(MSCA)
EU contribution
€ 1 803 600,00
Coordinator
Associated Partners
Beneficiaries
WP1 is aimed at specialists in papyrology, advanced students to be trained in the field, library curators and conservation specialists, as well as, through dissemination events, at a wider interested public including high school students. It combines research, training, dissemination and networking, and includes a number of disciplines, especially papyrology, curating and preservation, digital humanities, philology, history, and (through new methodologies in papyrus analysis) chemistry and biology.
The specific focus of WP1 is the Wessely papyrus collection kept at NKP, of which only a small portion has been researched and published, and which urgently needs curatorial and conservation attention.
The main objectives are the same as in the case of the other WPs:
O1 Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research into written cultural heritage
Exploring and applying new methods of preservation and analysis primarily to the Wessely papyrus collection. Meeting the challenges of researching fragmented material. Comparative interdisciplinary exploration.
O2 Training for early career researchers
Providing a series of expert trainings in papyrology combined with digital humanities and curating.
O3 Dissemination to wider audiences
Raising public awareness of the importance of cultural heritage in the form of papyrus fragments.
O4 Networking, interconnections, international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration
T1.1 Research and preservation (O1, D5, D6)
Improving the preservation conditions of the Wessely papyri, based on consultation with experts in the field, who combine decades of experience in papyrological curation and digitization. PAMELA will bring the numerous existing methods up to date and create a joint report on and guidelines for the appropriate methodology to be applied in other institutions, too. Research on the collection leading to joint open access publications.
D5 Methodology report on new methods in preservation and research of papyri (OA, M48)
The report will be an important joint effort, sharing experience and suggesting good practice, and pointing out pitfalls and obstacles. It will be ready by M21 (but the deadline of M48 was set in order to secure detailed feedback and revision in collaboration with project partners, and in case the peer review process before open access publication in a distinguished periodical takes much time – which is beyond control of the project participants. Some secondments leading to this output will take place in the same months as the second training. These will be supplemented by other secondments including to and from UOx and UHAM – experts in this field.
D6 Online papyri – digitization, edition, analysis + open access joint publications (OA, M48)
Secondments leading to D1.6 will take place mostly in Prague, at the same months as the second training (D1.2), which will also focus on the subject of edition and analysis.
Task 1.2 Training (O2)
Planned are training schools in papyrology at NKP and training schools at Oxford focused on preservation and curating. Early career researchers papyrus training I (NKP, M09) will offer a comprehensive introduction to both material and digital papyrology, with a dual focus on hands-on experience and digital methodologies. The material papyrology component will centre on familiarising participants with the Prague Wessely papyrus collection, providing direct engagement with original manuscripts and helping out with their preservation. The digital training will cover essential principles of cataloguing and annotation, introducing key platforms such as Papyri.info, Trismegistos, and other metadata tools. Particular emphasis will be placed on enhancing the representation of the Prague Wessely collection within these and other databases, especially manuscriptorium.com. Participants will engage in a structured combination of guided sessions and independent work, each working on an assigned papyrus to apply their newly acquired skills.
Early career researchers papyrus training II (ONB, M21) will focus on both traditional and digital critical editions, providing participants with hands-on experience in transcription, encoding, and the creation of (digital) editions of papyrological texts. The thematic emphasis will be on documentary texts reflecting everyday life, such as letters, contracts, and inventories. Additionally, part of the session will explore strategies for effectively disseminating insights from papyrological evidence on daily life to a broader audience.
Early career researchers papyrus training III (UHEI, M33) will introduce participants to both traditional and digital palaeography, with a particular focus on the Heroninos Archive. Attendees will engage in hands-on palaeographical work, comparing conventional methods with emerging digital approaches, including handwritten text recognition and machine learning techniques. A part of the session will explore strategies for disseminating insights from papyrological evidence on the Heroninos Archive to a broader audience.
Early career researchers papyrus training IV (UNIFI, M45) will focus on linguistic annotation and the study of late antique papyri. Participants will receive instruction in annotation tools and methodologies, with a thematic emphasis on religious, liturgical, and literary texts. Again, a part of the session will explore strategies for effectively disseminating insights from papyrological evidence on magic, Christian, medical, and scientific papyri to a broader audience.
Training in papyrus preservation and curatorship (UOx, UHEI, UNIFI, M48) Secondments primarily from CU and NKP to UOx, UHEI and UNIFI to receive training from local experts. Guests will also conduct independent preservation work and research on the spot.
Task 1.3 Dissemination (O3; D7)
Exhibition accompanied by workshops and lectures for wider public.
D7 Wessely papyrus collection exhibition (NKP, M45) will present a two-part exhibition dedicated to the Wessely papyrus collection. The first section will focus on the history of the collection and its acquisition by NKP. It will introduce Carl Wessely, founder of the originally private collection, his connections to the Austrian National Library in Vienna, and his Czech roots. The exhibition will also explore the role of Professor Hopfner, who inherited the collection and later sold its Greek and Latin portion to NKP. Furthermore, it will trace the research history of these materials, with particular attention to how PAMELA contributed to their study and preservation. The second section will explore the actual contents of the papyri. This part of the exhibition will introduce the wide range of texts preserved in the collection, illustrating what they reveal about everyday life, administrative practices, and medical knowledge of the first millennium in Egypt. The exhibition will be accompanied by a virtual exhibition as well as a printed catalogue.
Fulfilling objective O4 is part of every task (T1.1–3).
For the roles of beneficiaries and associated partners, see the Deliverables.
D1.1 – Data Management Plan
D1.2 – Report on new methods in preservation and research of papyri
D1.3 – Online papyri digitization edition analysis and open access joint publications
D1.4 – Wessely papyrus collection exhibition
WP2 combines research, training, dissemination and networking, and includes a number of disciplines, especially manuscript studies, philology, Latin, curating and conservation, digital humanities, history, as well as, through new methodologies taken from the fields of Heritage Science, chemistry, biology and physics.
The specific focus of WP2 are the scribes of medieval European manuscripts. Often very little is known on them – many remain anonymous, other only reveal their name but nothing else. In some cases, however, more information can be recovered. Building a complex database on medieval scribes and their production allowing for a comparative analysis of their activities and strategies is the main goal of WP2.
WP2 builds on synergy with other ongoing projects: HiPS (Hidden in Plain Sight at QMUL, https://projects.history.qmul.ac.uk/inplainsight/news, PI Eyal Poleg) THEEND (Innovation and Inertia: The End of Medieval Scribes, ERC.cz grant), DOPOWIN (Done. Pour the Wine.” Colophons and Scribal Additions in Medieval Manuscripts kept in Czechia, Czech Science Foundation grant, both at CU, with the PI of both L. Doležalová, for both see https:// scribes.ff.cuni.cz), and ScribeID AI (interdisciplinary project at KLN employing an active machine learning approach in identifying scribal hands, PI M. Haltrich). WP2 will use all of them but will move substantially beyond their scope.
The WP2’s main objectives are shared with other WPs:
O1 Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research into written cultural heritage
Exploring and applying new methods on research of medieval scribes and their copies. Creating a pan-European database of scribes, their colophons, and copies for comparative analysis.
O2 Training for early career researchers
Providing a series of expert interdisciplinary training events combining manuscript studies with digital humanities and curatorial practices.
O3 Dissemination to wider public
Raising public awareness of the importance of medieval written heritage. Making public engaged and able to approach these sources.
O4 Networking, interconnections, international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration
T2.1 Research (O1)
Exploring medieval scribes through their own writings as well as other sources on them. Transforming two so far local databases into substantial European endeavours, making them pivotal in their field. Producing cutting edge open access scientific publications.
D8 Database of medieval scribes and colophons (OA, M48 – see description in the deliverable)
T2.2 Training (O2; D2.4, D2.5)
Providing interdisciplinary innovative training to early career researchers, namely:
Training early career researchers – Hackathon I (Cam, M07)
The first Cambridge training will focus on scribal colophons and additions. It will be delivered by UCam and QMUL experts in manuscript studies and digital humanities in collaboration with other PAMELA partners. Seconded participants will have the opportunity to conduct manuscript research in Cambridge libraries culminating in an intensive workshop collectively developing prototype digital resources which explore the online presentation of scribal colophons and additions to a wider public.
Training early career researchers – Hackathon IV (Cam, M43)
The final Cambridge training will focus on medieval scribes. It will be delivered by Cam and QMUL experts in manuscript studies and digital humanities in collaboration with other PAMELA partners. Seconded participants will have the opportunity to conduct manuscript research in Cambridge libraries culminating in an intensive workshop collectively developing prototype digital resources which explore the online presentation of information about medieval scribes to a wider audience.
T2.3 Dissemination (O3)
Overseas team stays based on networking, local interactions, workshops and research.
D9 Prague exhibition on medieval scribes (NKP, M24 – see description in the deliverable)
Otsuma: Scribes dissemination and outreach (Tok, M32)
The Otsuma dissemination will enable a team of early career researchers with several supervisors to conduct research dissemination activities in a very different cultural environment. Activities will take place that will include less advanced local students and result in creating materials suitable for raising awareness of European medieval scribal culture overseas. The challenge is intentional: the incoming team should be encouraged to think outside the box and focus on making intercultural connections in order to show the relevance of the studied materials. The host institution will provide networking opportunities with the local staff, as well as ancient-medieval East Asian calligraphy and palaeography workshop.
Macquarie: Scribes dissemination and outreach (Macquarie, M38)
The dissemination event will build on the local resources and, combining the local papyrology collection with the incoming expertise in Latin manuscripts, interactive outputs will be created linking the two.
CONICET: Scribes dissemination and outreach (CONICET, M46)
The dissemination and communication will present yet another challenge of showing the relevance of PAMELA’s research results in a different environment: this time a general medievalist setting – i.e. researchers interested in the Middle Ages but with very limited access to actual medieval manuscripts. The task will be to create such OA results that will manage to transfer and explain the actual process of manuscript creation and research as efficiently as possible. The deliverable might be divided into 2–3 events during PAMELA’s implementation, so as not to overwhelm the host.
Fulfilling objective O4 is part of every task (T2.1–3).
For the roles of beneficiaries and associated partners, see the Deliverables below.
D2.1 – Database of medieval scribes and colophons
D2.2 – Prague exhibition on medieval scribes
WP3 combines research, training, dissemination and networking, and includes a number of disciplines, especially digital humanities, manuscript studies, philology, curating and preservation.
Although the specific focus of WP3 are collections of medieval manuscripts, the collections of papyri are also relevant for WP3 – the cross-fertilization will be possible thanks to overlapping secondments at NKP, as well as through joint outreach activities). Contemporary manuscript collections are sometimes in direct continuity with the medieval ones (KLN and Gall), other times they are modern creations (NKP, UWr). Libraries and archives usually curate and preserve their holdings with little collaboration across institutions. As for recovering the medieval collections, virtual libraries have become a common and appreciated means of facing the challenge. They too, however, are created and managed primarily locally. NKP is the host of the project Manuscriptorium, the largest repository of digital images of medieval manuscripts. Nevertheless, since it contains much other data from different periods, it is not the first choice of many researchers.
WP3 does not expect to unite the relevant current projects, which are always tied by the rules of local funding and institutional strategies. It does aim, however, at creating an environment in which expertise and experience will be actively shared. It also aims at jointly producing set of advice for new projects in the field, to help new endeavours avoid the past mistakes and build on the work already done. WP3 will also do its best to create interoperability of the existing databases and contribute to FAIRification of the data. Large as the PAMELA network is, it does not include all (or even most) institutions that would be relevant to fulfil this task. Representatives of other projects and institutions will be invited to take part in PAMELA workshops (covered from PAMELA’s indirect costs with the support of CU’s and NKP’s institutional funding) to ensure as much inclusivity as possible.
The WP3’s main objectives are the same across WPs:
O1 Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research into written cultural heritage
Exploring and applying new methods of preservation of medieval manuscript collections, including their virtual re- creation in and interoperable and inter-connected environment.
O2 Training for early career researchers
Providing a series of expert interdisciplinary trainings combining book history studies with digital humanities and curating.
O3 Dissemination to wider public
Raising public awareness of the importance of medieval manuscript collections. Making public engaged and able to approach these sources.
O4 Networking, interconnections, international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary collaboration
T3.1 Research (O1)
Conduct cutting-edge research on medieval collections. Discuss the experience, advantages and disadvantages of existing projects, create report on good practice and methodologies. Attempt to interconnect the existing projects securing interoperability and FAIRification of data. Publish ground-breaking OA research results.
D10 Report on efficiency and good practice in virtual re-creation of medieval manuscript collections, and other research publications (OA, M45)
D11 Publications on cutting-edge methodologies in manuscript research, and other research publications (OA, M48)
T3.3 Training (O2)
Provide innovative interdisciplinary training in approaching medieval manuscript collections to early career researchers.
Training early career researchers – Hackathon II (Cam, M19)
The second training in Cambridge will explore new scientific methods focused on the “entropy of the manuscript page”. It will be delivered by UCAM and QMUL experts in manuscript studies, heritage science and digital humanities in collaboration with other PAMELA partners. Seconded participants will have the opportunity to learn about the application of heritage science methodologies to manuscript research culminating in an intensive workshop collectively developing prototype digital resources which explore the online presentation of information about heritage science methodologies to a wider public audience.
Training early career researchers – Hackathon III (Cam, M31)
The third training in Cambridge will focus on medieval libraries and their virtual recreation. It will be delivered by UCAM and QMUL experts in manuscript studies, library history and digital humanities in collaboration with other PAMELA partners. Seconded participants will have the opportunity to explore sources and digital tools relevant to the history and reconstruction of collections culminating in an intensive workshop collectively developing prototype digital resources which explore online presentation and visualisation of data relating to the reconstruction of medieval libraries.
T3.4 Dissemination (O3)
Create at least two exhibitions and two overseas dissemination opportunities.
D12 Exhibition on late medieval manuscripts from the convent of St. Catharine (StGall, M24)
D13 Klosterneuburg manuscript exhibition (KLN, M36)
Otsuma: Dissemination and Outreach (M44)
Visiting PAMELA partners and host institution will jointly work on an exhibition at the latter’s museum comparing medieval European and East Asian manuscript traditions. The exhibit will be accompanied by events (lectures and a symposium) open to the local public. The event (second of PAMELA’s activities taking place in Tokyo) will enable a team of early career researchers with several supervisors to conduct research dissemination activities in a very different cultural environment. The challenge is intentional: the incoming team should be encouraged to think outside the box and focus on making intercultural connections, showing the relevance of studying European medieval collections from the perspective of Japanese literacy practices.
UMac: Dissemination and outreach (M26)
The dissemination event (second PAMELA’s secondment taking place in Syd) will use the local resources for creating interactive outputs promoting the local collection. Local students as well as colleagues from other disciplines will be included in workshops and networking. Specific theme to be explored is modern uses and abuses of papyri and manuscripts – taking advantage of the local expertise in medievalism.
T3.5 Management (O4)
CU will be responsible for the overall project management and drafting the progress and final report, which should then be approved by all partners.
D2 Progress report (CU, M24)
D3 Mid-Term Meeting (CU, M13)
CU will be responsible preparing the report, as well as for organizing the mid-term meeting in collaboration with all the partners. Preparing the report will take advantage of physical meetings during secondments.
Fulfilling objective O4 is part of every task (T3.1–3).
For the roles of beneficiaries and associated partners, see the Deliverables.
D3.1 – Report on efficiency and good practice in virtual re-creation of medieval manuscript collections and other research publications
D3.2 – Publications on cutting-edge methodologies in manuscript research and other research publications
D3.3 – Exhibition on late medieval manuscripts from the convent of St Catharine
D3.4 – Klosterneuburg manuscript exhibition
The objective of this work package is to ensure the efficient and coherent management of the project in line with the Horizon Europe framework and the Grant Agreement. It aims to provide strategic and operational coordination across all work packages, guaranteeing timely delivery of outputs, effective communication among partners, and proactive identification and mitigation of risks. It also ensures that all reporting obligations—scientific, technical, administrative, and financial—are fulfilled accurately and on schedule.
This work package will cover the overall coordination of the project, including monitoring progress towards milestones and deliverables, overseeing day-to-day implementation, and maintaining high standards of quality and compliance. It involves the preparation and submission of periodic and final reports to the European Commission, financial monitoring, and the organization of consortium meetings and regular partner communication. The coordinator will serve as the main interface with the Commission and will ensure that ethical standards, data protection rules, and legal obligations are respected throughout the project. Mechanisms for internal decision-making, conflict resolution, and contingency planning will also be established under this work package.
D4.1 – Progress Report
D4.2 – Mid-Term Meeting
The objective of this work package is to maximise the visibility, accessibility, and impact of the project’s activities, results, and knowledge outputs among relevant stakeholders, including the scientific community, industry, policymakers, and the general public. It aims to ensure effective communication of the project’s goals and achievements, foster engagement with non-academic audiences, and support the uptake and long-term sustainability of results through targeted dissemination and exploitation strategies.
This work package will develop and implement a comprehensive Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation (CDE) plan aligned with the project’s objectives and stakeholder landscape. Communication activities will include maintaining a project website, social media presence, press releases, and public engagement initiatives. Dissemination will focus on academic outputs such as publications, conference presentations, and workshops, ensuring open access wherever possible. Exploitation efforts will identify results with innovation or policy potential and outline pathways for their further use beyond the project duration, including through follow-up collaborations or integration into training, policy, or practice. The work package will ensure that all CDE activities comply with the Horizon Europe guidelines on open science, visibility of EU funding, and intellectual property rights.
D5.1 – Plan for dissemination and exploitation including communication activities
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