Subtle Signs of Scribal Intent in the Voynich Manuscript

TL;DR

This paper investigates the Voynich Manuscript to identify subtle scribal signs, revealing that token distributions vary with both intrinsic script features and extrinsic illustrations, suggesting intentional scribal patterns.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of the Voynich Manuscript focusing on subtle signs of scribal intent linked to script features and illustrations.

Findings

Token distributions vary with paragraph and line positions

Illustrations influence scribal patterns

Evidence of intentional scribal behavior

Abstract

This study explores the cryptic Voynich Manuscript, by looking for subtle signs of scribal intent hidden in overlooked features of the "Voynichese" script. The findings indicate that distributions of tokens within paragraphs vary significantly based on positions defined not only by elements intrinsic to the script such as paragraph and line boundaries but also by extrinsic elements, namely the hand-drawn illustrations of plants.