Uncovering the Secrets of the Herculaneum Scrolls: The Vesuvius Challenge

Tech Breakthrough Unlocks Ancient Roman Scrolls Buried by Mount Vesuvius Eruption

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E., it covered the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under tons of ash. Millennia later, in the mid-18th century, archeologists began to unearth the city, including its famed libraries, but the scrolls they found were too fragile to be unrolled and read; their contents were thought to be lost forever.

Only now, thanks to the advent of artificial intelligence and machine learning, scholars of the ancient world have partnered with computer programmers to unlock the contents of these priceless documents. In this episode of “There’s More to That,” science journalist and Smithsonian contributor Jo Marchant tells us about the yearslong campaign to read these scrolls. And Youssef Nader—one of the three winners of last year’s “Vesuvius Challenge” to make these clumps of vulcanized ash readable—tells us how he and his teammates achieved their historic breakthrough.

The breakthrough came after a long and arduous process of using machine learning algorithms to analyze the scans of the scrolls and identify the presence of ink on the papyrus. The team of researchers, led by Youssef Nader, Luke Farritor, and Julian Schilliger, successfully read over 2,000 characters from the scrolls, revealing a work of philosophy by ancient Greek philosopher Philodemus.

The discovery of the word “purple” in the scrolls was particularly significant, as it hinted at a new work that had never been seen before. The scrolls are believed to contain writings on pleasure, the senses, and possibly music, providing valuable insights into ancient Greek philosophy.

The Vesuvius Challenge not only unlocked the secrets of these ancient scrolls but also showcased the power of artificial intelligence in archaeology. The success of the challenge has opened up new possibilities for using machine learning in other archaeological projects, such as reading writings on mummy wrappings or reconstructing archaeological sites using drones.

Overall, the Vesuvius Challenge serves as a testament to the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize the field of archaeology and uncover hidden treasures from the past.