AI Helps Read Ancient Papyrus Scroll Burnt by Vesuvius Eruption

The Breakthrough in Ancient Scroll Analysis

Researchers have successfully used artificial intelligence (AI) to virtually unwrap and read a 2,000-year-old papyrus scroll that was burnt to a crisp during the Mount Vesuvius eruption. The surviving part of the scroll, named PHerc 1667, has yielded 20 columns of previously hidden text covering over a metre of charred papyrus.

The Event Details

The scroll, dated to the second or late-third century BC, discusses stoic philosophy on ethics, art, and human behaviour. The text is believed to be a stoic treatise, possibly authored by the Greek philosopher Chrysippus, who was the third head of the stoic school. The achievement is part of the Vesuvius Challenge, a global contest launched in 2023 to read some of the carbonised scrolls using AI and other software.

The Data Analysis

The analysis, conducted by Dr. Federica Nicolardi and her colleagues, suggests that the text refers to Chrysippus' nephew and pupil, Aristocreon. The newly read text discusses the stoic concept of hormē (impulse) and warns that failing to regulate behaviour with reason can lead to harmful passions and diversion from one's goals. Another concept explored is phronēsis (practical wisdom), considered the highest virtue in stoic philosophy.

The Impact Analysis

This breakthrough highlights the potential of AI in recovering and interpreting ancient texts that were previously inaccessible. The Vesuvius Challenge, backed by Silicon Valley donors, has attracted teams that honed techniques for virtually unwrapping and reading the scrolls. Prof Brent Seales, a computer scientist at the University of Kentucky, founded the challenge based on his work showing how machine-learning algorithms could read the ink on hidden layers of the scrolls by spotting subtle differences in papyrus fibres in X-ray images.

The Prediction

As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely that more ancient texts will be recovered and interpreted, providing new insights into historical philosophies, cultures, and knowledge. The success of the Vesuvius Challenge may pave the way for similar projects, potentially uncovering more secrets from ancient civilizations.