We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
AI Deciphers 2,000-Year-Old Scroll from Mount Vesuvius Eruption
FREE Catholic Classes
In a groundbreaking archaeological breakthrough, researchers have utilized artificial intelligence to unlock the secrets hidden within a 2,000-year-old scroll, preserved through the fiery eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away.
Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you.Help Now >
Photo credit: Igor Omilaev
Highlights
2/6/2024 (2 months ago)
Published in Technology
Keywords: artificial intelligence, ancient scrolls, Mount Vesuvius, Greek philosophy, Epicureanism, archaeological breakthrough
The charred remnants of this papyrus hold the reflections of a Greek philosopher, shedding light on previously concealed insights into the Epicurean school of philosophy, which delves into the pursuit of pleasure and hedonism.
Through the innovative application of digital scanning, 3D mapping, and AI algorithms, the researchers managed to virtually unfurl the scroll, which initially resembled nothing more than a lump of charcoal, and decipher its ancient text.
Authored by the philosopher Philodemus, the recovered passage provides a glimpse into his contemplations on the relationship between food scarcity and the enjoyment derived from it.
The triumphant achievement was spearheaded by a collaborative effort involving Youssef Nader from FU Berlin, Luke Farritor from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Julian Schilliger from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. Encouraged by their success, they aspire to employ similar techniques to unravel additional texts concealed within ancient artifacts.
The journey to uncover these ancient treasures traces back to the 18th century, when a farmer stumbled upon a buried Roman villa while excavating a well in the vicinity of the ancient town of Herculaneum. Within the villa lay a trove of carbonized papyrus scrolls, preserved by the intense heat of volcanic debris from the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Despite their remarkable preservation, the fragile nature of these scrolls posed a challenge to traditional methods of exploration. Previous attempts to unravel them resulted in the destruction of several scrolls, leaving over 600 still sealed and unreadable. The successful deciphering of these scrolls would effectively double the existing corpus of ancient literature.
To invigorate scholarly interest and incentivize further research, a challenge was initiated in March 2023, offering an $850,000 reward for any breakthrough in deciphering the Herculaneum scrolls. After a year marked by significant advancements, the prize was claimed, marking a historic milestone in the study of ancient texts.
Reflecting on this achievement, classicist Bob Fowler from the University of Bristol, who served as one of the prize judges, expressed his enthusiasm, describing it as a "historic moment" with the potential to unveil a wealth of new insights.
As the journey to unlock the mysteries of the Herculaneum scrolls continues, fueled by the convergence of ancient history and cutting-edge technology, each revelation promises to illuminate a fragment of humanity's distant past, enriching our understanding of the cultural tapestry that binds us across millennia.
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
Mysteries of the Rosary
-
St. Faustina Kowalska
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
-
Saint of the Day for Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
-
Popular Saints
-
St. Francis of Assisi
-
Bible
-
Female / Women Saints
-
7 Morning Prayers you need to get your day started with God
-
Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sacrifices of Faith: The Pro-Life Legacies of St. Gianna and Jessica Hanna
-
How to love God by caring for our bodies
-
Pope Francis calls for negotiations to End Russia-Ukraine War
-
Pope Francis Contemplates Return to U.S. for United Nations Assembly Address
-
Pope Francis Calls on Faithful to Embrace Faith, Hope, and Charity in New Teaching Series
Daily Catholic
- Daily Readings for Monday, April 29, 2024
- St. Catherine of Siena: Saint of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Prayer for the Dead # 3: Prayer of the Day for Monday, April 29, 2024
- Daily Readings for Sunday, April 28, 2024
- St. Peter Chanel: Saint of the Day for Sunday, April 28, 2024
- Prayer before a Crucifix: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, April 28, 2024
Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.