Using advanced X-ray imaging and AI, scientists are making strides in deciphering a charred scroll from the Roman town of Herculaneum that has laid unreadable for two millennia.
**Revealing Ancient Philosophy: The Herculaneum Scrolls Unveiled**
**Revealing Ancient Philosophy: The Herculaneum Scrolls Unveiled**
A groundbreaking blend of technology brings ancient wisdom from the ashes of Vesuvius back to life.
The charred remnants of a scroll buried under volcanic ash since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD are no longer shrouded in mystery. Scientists have successfully digitally "unwrapped" the scroll using a sophisticated combination of X-ray imaging and artificial intelligence, allowing a glimpse into ancient Roman philosophy for the first time in 2,000 years. The scroll, resembling a block of charcoal, is too fragile to be opened physically, presenting a significant challenge to researchers.
Led by Stephen Parsons as part of the Vesuvius Challenge project, the team reports promising results in their efforts to decode this carbonized treasure. Initial scans reveal distinct rows and columns of text. Botanists are optimistic that they will eventually read nearly the whole scroll despite the complex nature of the parchment and ink, both carbon-based materials.
Discovered along with hundreds of scrolls in the ancient town of Herculaneum, the fragments were once thought unreadable after previous attempts to manually open them resulted in disintegration. Stored in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, these scrolls remained untouched until technological advancements prompted further investigation.
Using a specialized case, the scroll was transported to Diamond Light Source, a synchrotron facility in Oxfordshire. This high-powered X-ray machine can probe materials with extraordinary precision, enabling researchers to create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the scroll, which contains approximately 10 meters of text.
As they digitally layer the parchment, AI assists in distinguishing the ink from the papyrus, a challenging task considering their similarity. The AI meticulously identifies the faintest signals to reveal hidden texts, marking a significant leap in the understanding of ancient literature.
While last year, a different team managed to extract about 5% of another scroll's content centered on Greek Epicurean philosophy, the latest scroll is also believed to hold philosophical insights. The ongoing research aims to clarify the text further and unlock substantial passages that connect us with the past.
For Nicole Gilroy, head of book conservation, here's a vital connection between modern scholars and the thinkers of ancient Rome: "I just love that connection with whoever collected them, whoever wrote them, whoever rolled those scrolls up and put them on the shelves." The ongoing work brings not only academic fulfillment but also a deep appreciation for the human stories behind these ancient texts, highlighting their historical significance.
Led by Stephen Parsons as part of the Vesuvius Challenge project, the team reports promising results in their efforts to decode this carbonized treasure. Initial scans reveal distinct rows and columns of text. Botanists are optimistic that they will eventually read nearly the whole scroll despite the complex nature of the parchment and ink, both carbon-based materials.
Discovered along with hundreds of scrolls in the ancient town of Herculaneum, the fragments were once thought unreadable after previous attempts to manually open them resulted in disintegration. Stored in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford, these scrolls remained untouched until technological advancements prompted further investigation.
Using a specialized case, the scroll was transported to Diamond Light Source, a synchrotron facility in Oxfordshire. This high-powered X-ray machine can probe materials with extraordinary precision, enabling researchers to create a three-dimensional reconstruction of the scroll, which contains approximately 10 meters of text.
As they digitally layer the parchment, AI assists in distinguishing the ink from the papyrus, a challenging task considering their similarity. The AI meticulously identifies the faintest signals to reveal hidden texts, marking a significant leap in the understanding of ancient literature.
While last year, a different team managed to extract about 5% of another scroll's content centered on Greek Epicurean philosophy, the latest scroll is also believed to hold philosophical insights. The ongoing research aims to clarify the text further and unlock substantial passages that connect us with the past.
For Nicole Gilroy, head of book conservation, here's a vital connection between modern scholars and the thinkers of ancient Rome: "I just love that connection with whoever collected them, whoever wrote them, whoever rolled those scrolls up and put them on the shelves." The ongoing work brings not only academic fulfillment but also a deep appreciation for the human stories behind these ancient texts, highlighting their historical significance.
