This multispectral data of the two bifolia of the Codex B was captured at the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana in June 2023. The goal of the imaging session was to test with the MSI wheteher and how to visualize reinked letters, corrections and other otherwise invisible features of the manuscript with the goal of subsequent complete MSI capture of the whole codex. The MSI images are intended to help choose smaller areas and spots for measurements with XRF, Raman or FTIR. Additionally, they provide information about the conservation condition, for example displaying levels of bio damage. In this MSI campaign only two bifolia were imaged. The MSI campaign was co-organised by the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC), the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM). Imaging was carried out using the CSMC MegaVision multispectral imaging system. The MSI system was operated by the CSMC staff, the object was handled by the staff of the Vatican Library digitization and conservation departments. (See contributors)

Preview JPEGs in sRGB color space are compressed and of lower quality and are only intended for quick previewing. Original, high quality, CIELAB TIF images can be found in the folders within each ZIP file. Each uploaded ZIP file contains the flattened, processed and color images for both bi-folia of the codex. Raw images are not included in this dataset simply for size reduction purposes. Raw images are stored internally on the servers of CSMC and, if necessary, can be separately accessed upon a reasonable request. For information about filenames and folder structure as well as MSI system, please see the files in the "info" folder and read the Brief Descriptions of Multispectral Imaging (MSI) Datasets.

Image processing was performed with Hoku image processing software. In each processed folder there are 6 images. A visible light color image called "RGB", an image highlighting the reinking called "Reinking", an image highlighting the texture called "Texture", an image showing the bio damage on sheets where probably mold is present called "Bio Damage", as well as two pseudocolor images called "400_Composite" and "450_Composite" showing fluorescing materials present on the sheets and a "Pseudocolor" image which color-codes the reinking in blue and red for better visibility and as an alternative to the other "Reinking" image.

The research for this project was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) within the Cluster of Excellence «Understanding Written Artefacts: Material, Interaction and Transmission in Manuscript Cultures». The research was conducted within the scope of the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures (CSMC) at Universität Hamburg in collaboration with the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM).