Scientists have used advanced imaging techniques, including X-ray micro-CT scanning, to virtually unwrap and decipher text from a charred scroll discovered in Herculaneum, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. The scroll, too fragile to physically unroll, is believed to contain philosophical writings by Philodemus, an Epicurean philosopher. While the process is still in its early stages, researchers have successfully deciphered some Greek letters and words, offering hope for further deciphering the text and gaining valuable insights into ancient philosophy.
After nearly two millennia entombed within the charred remains of a scroll from Herculaneum, a Roman town devastated by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, researchers have provided the first tantalizing glimpse into the text contained within, utilizing advanced imaging techniques. This papyrus scroll, part of the only surviving library of its kind from the classical world, belonging to the villa of Julius Caesar's father-in-law, Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, has long been considered too fragile to unroll physically due to the intense heat of the volcanic eruption that carbonized it. Previous attempts at unfurling these scrolls often resulted in their disintegration.
Now, a team of scientists, employing a cutting-edge method known as X-ray phase-contrast tomography, has successfully deciphered several letters and even entire words from within the scroll without having to physically open it. This technique involves using powerful X-rays to create three-dimensional representations of the ink, which, despite being carbonized along with the papyrus, retains a slightly different density. By exploiting these subtle differences in density, researchers have been able to distinguish the ink from the papyrus itself, effectively "seeing" the writing inside.
The deciphered text, primarily written in Greek, has revealed the presence of the names of Epicurean philosophers including Philodemus, whose works make up a significant portion of the Herculaneum library. While the specific content of the newly revealed text doesn't present groundbreaking philosophical insights, its decipherment marks a monumental achievement in the field of papyrology. It confirms the viability of this non-invasive imaging technique for accessing the vast storehouse of knowledge potentially held within the hundreds of still-unopened scrolls from Herculaneum. This breakthrough offers a renewed hope of unlocking the literary secrets hidden within these ancient texts, shedding further light on the intellectual landscape of the Roman world and offering invaluable insight into the thoughts and writings of a civilization lost to time. This development also paves the way for future research, with scientists continuously refining the technique to improve the clarity and readability of the extracted text, potentially revealing more complex and complete passages from the fragile scrolls. The potential for future discoveries remains immense, promising a wealth of knowledge yet to be unearthed from these Vesuvius-preserved relics.
Summary of Comments ( 55 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42951744
HN commenters discuss the challenges and potential rewards of virtually unwrapping the En-Gedi scroll. Several express excitement about the technology used and the historical significance of the text, hoping it reveals more of Leviticus. Some are skeptical about the readability given the scroll's condition, while others debate the ethics and practicality of physically unrolling such fragile artifacts. The potential for AI to assist in the process and reconstruct missing text fragments is also a topic of discussion, with some cautioning against overreliance on these methods. A few users share links to previous work on the scroll and other related projects.
The Hacker News post "First glimpse inside burnt scroll after 2k years" has a moderate number of comments discussing the linked BBC article about virtually unwrapping a charred scroll from Herculaneum. Several commenters express excitement and fascination with the technology used and the potential for further discoveries.
One compelling thread discusses the challenges and limitations of the current techniques. One user highlights the immense computational power required for this process, pointing out that even with cutting-edge technology, deciphering the entire scroll remains a daunting task. This leads to a discussion about the trade-offs between resolution and processing time, with someone mentioning that increasing resolution exponentially increases computational costs. Another commenter suggests alternative approaches, like using machine learning to analyze the subtle variations in the ink density to help with text reconstruction.
Another line of discussion focuses on the historical context of the scroll. Some commenters express hope that the scrolls contain lost works of classical literature, with one specifically mentioning the desire to find lost plays by Sophocles. Others discuss the importance of preserving and studying these artifacts, not just for their literary value, but also for understanding the daily life and culture of the people who created them. One commenter remarks on the irony of the scrolls being both preserved and destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius.
Several users also delve into the technical details of the imaging techniques used. One commenter knowledgeable in X-ray tomography clarifies the difference between conventional CT scanning and the phase-contrast imaging utilized in this study, emphasizing the latter's advantages for visualizing delicate structures like ink on papyrus. This explanation leads to further discussion on the limitations of current imaging technologies and the potential for future advancements to reveal even more details from the scrolls.
A few comments express a touch of cynicism, questioning the likelihood of significant literary discoveries and suggesting that the scrolls might contain mundane or even disappointing content. However, the overall sentiment leans toward optimism and excitement about the potential of this technology to unlock the secrets held within these ancient artifacts. The comments reflect a mixture of scientific curiosity, historical interest, and appreciation for the ingenuity of the researchers involved in this project.