Researchers unlock secrets of ancient scroll using AI technology

In the aftermath of the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, charred remains of various artifacts were left behind, including a remarkably preserved scroll from the Roman town of Herculaneum. This scroll has remained largely unreadable for centuries due to its fragility, compounded by the fact that it was charred and appears like a lump of charcoal. Earlier attempts to physically open similar scrolls have met with disaster; these papyri have crumbled to dust upon being handled. Therefore, researchers sought innovative ways to examine and decipher the text contained within this ancient document without causing any damage. Utilizing a state-of-the-art high-intensity X-ray facility located in Oxfordshire, England, scientists accelerated electrons to nearly the speed of light to generate a powerful X-ray beam. This method allowed them to probe the scroll in detail, revealing several columns of text while ensuring the scroll remained intact. One significant challenge in this process was differentiating the ink from the carbon-based papyrus and ink, which look almost identical under standard conditions. Despite this difficulty, researchers have made promising strides by employing sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms capable of detecting letters and symbols within the scroll. So far, one word has been deciphered repeatedly: the Ancient Greek term διάτροπή, meaning disgust. This word’s prominence suggests that the document might delve into philosophical discussions akin to those found in other scrolls from Herculaneum, potentially discussing pleasure and the nature of experiences. Project leader Stephen Parsons expressed optimism about the future of this project, believing that the entirety of the scroll’s content will eventually be accessible to researchers. Previously, a different team of researchers unlocked a similar Herculaneum scroll, which is attributed to the philosopher Philodemus. This discovery highlighted themes such as the sources of pleasure in life, including music and food, as well as exploring concepts of abundance versus scarcity in the context of enjoyable experiences. Consequently, the expectations surrounding the current scroll foreshadow similar philosophical inquiries, enriching our understanding of ancient Greek thought and the societal values of that time. As custodians of these ancient texts, scholars like Nicole Gilroy at Oxford’s Bodleian Library reinforce the intrinsic human connection to these documents and their authors, emphasizing the value of preserving such cultural heritage.