News Summary
Brent Seales and his team have received a European Research Council Synergy Grant to utilize AI technology in decoding the ancient Herculaneum scrolls. These fragile artifacts, carbonized in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, have presented significant challenges for researchers. The project includes a citizen science initiative, engaging the public in deciphering the scrolls, which has led to remarkable discoveries and advancements in readability, linking the texts to historical philosophical works.
Lexington, Kentucky – Brent Seales, an esteemed heritage science chair at the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky, has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grant. This funding is part of an international research initiative aimed at deciphering the secrets of the ancient Herculaneum scrolls utilizing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. The Herculaneum scrolls, which were carbonized during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, have eluded full comprehension due to their fragile state, making traditional unrolling methods impractical.
Seales, recognized globally for his expertise in ancient artifacts, leads a diverse team of researchers who are determined to unlock the historical and literary significance embedded in these scrolls. The Herculaneum scrolls are a collection of texts containing valuable philosophical and literary content; however, their carbonized form renders them too brittle for manual handling, necessitating innovative techniques for study.
In recent developments, Seales and his team have made significant strides in their mission by employing a method known as virtual unwrapping. This technique allows researchers to digitally “unroll” the scrolls, thereby revealing their inscriptions without causing any damage. The continuing initiatives aim to further enhance these digital reading capabilities and the clarity of the rendered text.
The project has also engaged the public through the Vesuvius Challenge, a citizen science competition that invites participants to help decode the challenging scripts of the Herculaneum scrolls. This competition has drawn significant interest, offering more than $1 million in prizes to those who contribute to deciphering the texts. A notable achievement occurred in October 2023 when student Luke Farritor successfully identified the first Greek word, “πορφύρας,” meaning “purple.” Farritor, along with his fellow participants, has since revealed over 2,000 characters from a specific scroll identified as PHerc. 172. This accomplishment culminated in his team winning awards totaling $700,000.
The text of PHerc. 172 appears extensive, consisting of multiple columns and approximately 26 lines of text per column. Seales emphasized that this initiative has yielded more visibility of text than has ever been witnessed in scanned versions of the Herculaneum scrolls, piquing scholarly curiosity about potential connections to the philosophical teachings of the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus.
Underpinning these advancements is a collaborative effort involving librarians, computer scientists, and classical scholars, highlighting the project’s interdisciplinary nature. Richard Ovenden, Bodley’s Librarian, underscores the importance of such collaboration in bringing light to ancient literary works that have remained in obscurity for centuries. The innovative application of artificial intelligence alongside specialized imaging technologies enhances the visibility of the ink used in the scrolls, significantly attributed to its unique chemical composition. Scanning of the texts took place at the Diamond Light Source in July 2024, with the goal of perfecting methods for future readings and interpretations.
These scrolls are part of an extensive collection that originated from a villa believed to have been owned by Julius Caesar’s father-in-law. Historical records show that earlier endeavors to physically unroll the scrolls further deteriorated their condition, underscoring the necessity for technological solutions in their study. Many researchers remain optimistic that through these advanced methods, the insights gleaned from the Herculaneum scrolls will contribute significantly to our understanding of ancient literature and philosophy.
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Additional Resources
- Paducah Sun
- Wikipedia: Herculaneum scrolls
- Colgate Maroon News
- Google Search: Herculaneum scrolls
- Smithsonian Magazine
- Google Scholar: Herculaneum scrolls
- Times of Israel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Herculaneum scrolls
- Discover Magazine
- Google News: Herculaneum scrolls
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