HISTORY
A Roman scroll buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD has been virtually unwrapped for the first time, revealing hidden text for two entire millennia.
The charred papyrus, part of the Herculaneum collection, is too fragile to open.
That’s where AI comes in:
Scientists used X-ray imaging and AI to digitally reconstruct its layers digitally, exposing the ancient writing for the first time.
The breakthrough comes from the Vesuvius Challenge, an international effort to decipher hundreds of similar scrolls.
A high-tech library reveal
Buried beneath volcanic ash, the scrolls were discovered in an ancient Roman villa. Past attempts to unroll them led to destruction, leaving them unreadable for centuries.
Stored at Oxford’s Bodleian Library, one scroll was scanned using Diamond Light Source, a powerful synchrotron that produces high-resolution X-ray images. The AI then detected ink traces, digitally painting the text back into view.
What we know:
The AI has identified letters and words, with full passages expected soon.
A previous scroll revealed Greek Epicurean philosophy, suggesting similar content.
Researchers need more computing power and human expertise to complete the translation.
Layers of history, unveiled
The scroll contains roughly 10 metres of papyrus rolled together. Digitally separating each layer without tearing the text is a challenge.
Both the ink and the papyrus are carbon-based, making them almost indistinguishable. The AI must detect subtle patterns, mapping the writing without damaging the ancient material.
This is like the start of a new National Treasure movie…