Herculaneum scrolls: A 20-year journey to read the unreadable
University of Kentucky・4 minutes read
Virtual unwrapping allows for non-invasive exploration of objects through X-ray scans, aiding in the study of ancient texts like the En-Gedi scroll and the challenging papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum. Advancements in A.I. technology in 2016/17 facilitated the detection of signals from ancient ink, leading to successful data collection and collaboration among research teams to decipher ancient texts.
Insights
- Virtual unwrapping uses software to virtually unwrap objects through X-ray scans, enabling exploration of their interiors without physical opening.
- Advanced technology, aided by A.I. developments, was crucial in deciphering challenging texts like the papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum, showcasing the collaborative effort of over a thousand research teams driven by a competitive science prize to accelerate progress in understanding ancient writings.
Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free
Recent questions
What is virtual unwrapping?
Virtual unwrapping is a technique that allows exploration of the interior of objects without physically opening them, using software to virtually unwrap and unfold X-ray scans.
How was the scroll from En-Gedi scanned?
The scroll from En-Gedi, written on animal skin with metal ink, was easily scanned due to clear layers, contrasting with the challenging papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum.
What aided in detecting signals from Herculaneum ink?
A.I. developments in 2016/17 aided in detecting signals from Herculaneum ink, leading to successful data collection at a particle accelerator.
What was the impact of a competitive science prize?
A competitive science prize mobilized over a thousand research teams to accelerate progress in deciphering ancient texts, fostering collaboration and advancements in the field.
How did advanced technology help in reading papyrus scrolls?
Advanced technology was required for reading the challenging papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum, showcasing the importance of technological advancements in deciphering ancient texts.
Related videos
HISTORY
The UnXplained: Shocking Ancient Mysteries Will Blow Your Mind!
Brigham Young University
Out of the Ashes: Recovering the Lost Library of Herculaneum (2003)
nature video
The AI historian: A new tool to decipher ancient texts
TEDx Talks
How immersive technologies (AR/VR) will shape our future | Dinesh Punni | TEDxTUBerlinSalon
ABC Science
Ancient Writing | Priceless artifacts | Modern technology
Summary
00:00
Virtual unwrapping reveals ancient texts with A.I.
- Virtual unwrapping was developed to explore the interior of objects without physically opening them, achieved through software that allows X-ray scans to be virtually unwrapped and unfolded.
- The scroll from En-Gedi, written on animal skin with metal ink, was easily scanned due to clear layers, contrasting with the challenging papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum, which required advanced technology for reading.
- A.I. developments in 2016/17 aided in detecting signals from Herculaneum ink, culminating in successful data collection at a particle accelerator, with a competitive science prize mobilizing over a thousand research teams to accelerate progress in deciphering ancient texts.
