A remarkable advancement in the field of archaeology has been achieved with the virtual unrolling and partial deciphering of a papyrus scroll that was carbonized during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. This scroll, officially designated as PHerc. 1667, is one of the many ancient texts unearthed from Herculaneum, the Roman town that was engulfed by volcanic ash in 79 AD. This groundbreaking effort is part of the Vesuvius Challenge, an initiative aimed at decoding these fragile texts without the need for physical unrolling.
These priceless scrolls were discovered in the 18th century, nestled in the ruins of a villa presumed to have belonged to Julius Caesar's father-in-law. They represent the sole extensive library known to exist from the era of classical antiquity, meticulously preserved yet fundamentally inaccessible due to extensive carbonization from the fire.
Given the delicate state of the scrolls, scholars had previously attempted various methods—including chemicals and mechanical forces—to unroll them, often causing irreversible damage. The Vesuvius Challenge was founded in 2023 by Brent Seales, a computer science professor at the University of Kentucky, alongside innovators Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, with the goal of employing advanced technology to virtually uncover and read these historical documents.
The process of virtual unwrapping begins with scanning each finely coiled scroll using CT imaging. Researchers then analyze the scan data, effectively flattening the scrolls and utilizing sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms trained to detect ink on the surface.
At a conference held in Naples, Italy, a significant milestone was announced when researchers successfully unveiled one complete scroll and discovered an impressive 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) of text spread over 20 columns. Brent Seales expressed that for almost 2,000 years, many of these writings had remained physically preserved yet intellectually elusive. Today, through years of collaboration that blends imaging technology, AI, academic rigor, and an innovation contest, scholars can finally access these ancient narratives.
Leading the interpretative efforts is Federica Nicolardi from the University of Naples Federico II, who has been developing machine learning models to assist in translating the texts. A scroll previously thought to be completely illegible—having been assessed a readability score of zero in the 1980s—has now transformed due to this innovative approach. Nicolardi emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, noting that the scroll exhibits continuous arguments across multiple columns.
Significantly, PHerc. 1667 is believed to date back to the second century BC, making it one of the oldest in the collection. This fragment, measuring only 8 centimeters (3.2 inches) in height, is the sole remnant of what was once a complete scroll. Originally discovered largely intact, attempts to unroll it in subsequent years resulted in damage, reducing its size.
The text delves into philosophical themes related to ethics, the arts, and human behavior, arguably reflecting Stoic philosophies. The discussions include Stoic concepts such as "horme," which pertains to impulse, cautioning against the dangers of unregulated behavior that can distract from personal objectives. Additionally, the importance of practical wisdom, or "phronesis," as a cardinal Stoic virtue, is emphasized in the text.
One of the first words deciphered from these ancient pages was "πορφυρας" or "porphyras," translating to "purple." Notably, the scroll ventures into discussions about impulses and virtues, culminating in a profound assertion: "We will inquire into something, but we will not grasp it if in some way we depart from ourselves and from our own nature."
Furthermore, exciting new findings were announced regarding another scroll, PHerc. 139, which revealed the phrase "Philodemus, On Gods, Book 8." This marks a pivotal moment, confirming that Philodemus authored a series that encompasses at least eight volumes, expanding previous knowledge which was limited to only the first book.
These recent discoveries are part of an ongoing series of breakthroughs from the Vesuvius Challenge project. In May, the team confirmed the title and authorship of another scroll, PHerc. 172, as "On Vices" by Philodemus. In October of the same year, advanced technology and AI allowed for the first complete word from an unopened scroll to be decoded.
According to Seales, the project has reached a critical juncture. He stated, "This is no longer simply about imaging or machine learning; we now require experts who can read, analyze, and interpret the insights contained within these texts."
