AI helps decipher ancient scrolls from Vesuvius eruption

In Italy, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79 resulted in the destruction of Pompeii and the nearby town of Herculaneum, which buried a unique library containing 1,800 papyrus scrolls in carbonized form. Discovered by archaeologists in the 18th century, these scrolls are the only ancient library that remains intact to this day. Unfortunately, many attempts to unravel their contents have led to further destruction, with some scrolls burned or disposed of due to a lack of understanding of their significance. Brent Seales, a computer scientist at the University of Kentucky, has been at the forefront of the technological advances enabling the examination of these scrolls without causing further damage. By utilizing a particle accelerator in England, scientists produced light that is ten billion times brighter than the sun, similar to an X-ray. This technology, combined with artificial intelligence, allows researchers to identify even faint traces of ink, making it possible to visualize the scrolls' content without physically unwrapping them. To facilitate this process, Seales initiated the Vesuvius Challenge, offering $700,000 in prize money to competitors who could successfully decipher the text from the scrolls. This initiative has already produced significant results, with three college students making history by being the first individuals to extract words from a virtually unwrapped, carbonized scroll. The advancements in AI methodologies are expected to usher in a new era of discovery regarding these ancient texts. As Seales noted, the sheer volume of scrolls remaining to be examined is substantial, and archaeologists, who have only begun their excavations, may uncover additional scrolls in the Villa of the Papyri. This possibility ignites hope among researchers that more ancient works are yet to be found, as they continue their efforts to piece together the historical context and legacy of these precious artifacts. In light of these developments, Seales remains optimistic about the potential for a renewed understanding of ancient literature and philosophy, stating that the improvements brought about by 21st-century technology mark a renaissance in the field of archaeology.