Pricking Hole Row Counter
Compare the pricking-hole counts on the top and bottom edges of a leaf with exact averages and the stated verdict bands (equal is symmetric, within two is slightly off, more is mismatched).
Description
Compare the pricking-hole counts on the top and bottom edges of a leaf with exact averages and the stated verdict bands (equal is symmetric, within two is slightly off, more is mismatched).
Pricking Hole Row Counter: Compare the pricking-hole counts on the top and bottom edges of a leaf with exact averages and the stated verdict bands (equal is symmetric, within two is slightly off, more is mismatched).
When to use Pricking Hole Row Counter
Use this palaeographic utility to apply a stated dating, script, abbreviation, codicological, metrological, layout, or condition rule consistently while preparing manuscripts for scholarly review.
- Top edge holes
- Holes counted along the upper edge.
- Bottom edge holes
- Holes counted along the lower edge.
How Pricking Hole Row Counter works
Compare the pricking-hole counts on the top and bottom edges of a leaf with exact averages and the stated verdict bands (equal is symmetric, within two is slightly off, more is mismatched). The tool evaluates the supplied inputs together and returns the named outputs below; it does not infer omitted operating conditions or change the units shown.1
- Average
- Mean hole count of the two edges.
- Symmetry delta
- Absolute difference between the edges.
- Alignment
- Stated-band alignment verdict.
Limitations and assumptions
- Script and manuscript evidence varies by language, region, institution, period, scribe, material, restoration, and cataloguing convention. A heuristic flag or score is not an authoritative date, hand attribution, reading, provenance, or conservation diagnosis.
- Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.
Alternative or Complementary approaches
Retain page images, scale, foliation, material, provenance, diplomatic transcription, uncertainty, and comparison exemplars; confirm conclusions with codicological context and specialist judgment.
References
-
Codicology — Wikipedia contributors
Similar or alternative tools
- Wormhole Density Rater
Convert counted wormholes on a measured leaf into holes per square decimetre with exact arithmetic and rate them on the stated bands (none at zero, light under two, moderate under six, heavy from six).
- Chirograph Wavy-Cut Checker
Assess a cut-apart chirograph under the stated heuristic: halves whose surviving letter counts differ by no more than the tolerance count as matching when a wavy cut is visible, mismatched otherwise, and indeterminate whenever no wavy cut is visible.
- Margin Proportion Rater
Rate measured margins against the classic codicological rule of thumb (outer about twice the inner, bottom about twice the top) with exact ratios and a stated default tolerance of 0.25 on each ratio.