# NeuroPapyri: A Deep Attention Embedding Network for Handwritten Papyri Retrieval

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.07785 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2408.07785/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 12 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 14 Aug 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Deep Residual Learning for Image Recognition](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1512.03385/) (2015)
- [ICFHR 2020 Competition on Image Retrieval for Historical Handwritten Fragments](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2010.10197/) (2020)
- [Writer Retrieval and Writer Identification in Greek Papyri](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2212.07664/) (2022)
- [Feature Mixing for Writer Retrieval and Identification on Papyri Fragments](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.12939/) (2023)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The intersection of computer vision and machine learning has emerged as a promising avenue for advancing historical research, facilitating a more profound exploration of our past. However, the application of machine learning approaches in historical palaeography is often met with criticism due to their perceived ``black box'' nature. In response to this challenge, we introduce NeuroPapyri, an innovative deep learning-based model specifically designed for the analysis of images containing ancient Greek papyri. To address concerns related to transparency and interpretability, the model incorporates an attention mechanism. This attention mechanism not only enhances the model's performance but also provides a visual representation of the image regions that significantly contribute to the decision-making process. Specifically calibrated for processing images of papyrus documents with lines of handwritten text, the model utilizes individual attention maps to inform the presence or absence of specific characters in the input image. This paper presents the NeuroPapyri model, including its architecture and training methodology. Results from the evaluation demonstrate NeuroPapyri's efficacy in document retrieval, showcasing its potential to advance the analysis of historical manuscripts.