Short Report on the Summer School in Digital Palaeography

Written by Käthe Sophie Hanschmann, PhD candidate at Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

There are many good things to say about this summer school, especially regarding its thematic variety. We began with a general introduction to scripts, focusing on how to read and recognize them, along with an introduction to codicology. More importantly, the traditional lectures were complemented by practical exercises.

In the library session, we had the chance to sew quires, work with manuscripts, and analyze fragments, applying the knowledge we had gained earlier. We also enjoyed guided tours of the Göttingen State and University Library (SUB), its conservation department, and the Bibliotheca Augusta in Wolfenbüttel.

Personally, the highlight of the program was the overview of digital tools in palaeography. Many existing tools were completely new to us before joining the program. After several practical sessions where we could test the tools under expert guidance, it was inspiring to discover so many programs, methods, and ongoing projects.

The program as a whole was both enjoyable and intense. Fortunately, the welcoming atmosphere made it easy not to feel overwhelmed by the long days. Our lecturers skillfully managed the challenge of addressing participants’ different levels of knowledge and created a motivating learning environment. They carefully selected the manuscripts in the university archive that connected to our own research interests, allowing us not only to gain an overview of the wide field of digital palaeography but also to reflect on our individual projects.

I can therefore only say thank you and recommend this summer school to everyone.

Kaethe is currently pursuing her PhD at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, within the Research Training Group 2792 “Autonomy of Heteronomous Texts in Antiquity and the Middle Ages.”

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