Latest news with #OnVices
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers Decipher Herculaneum Scrolls Found at Pompeii
Researchers have virtually unfurled a Herculaneum scroll which was rescued from Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The Herculaneum scrolls, first discovered within Pompeii's ruins in 1752, have long beguiled scientists. Written on papyrus using carbon-based ink, the scrolls cannot be physically opened without disintegrating. With the advent of digital AI technology, researchers have been given a new opportunity to discover the scrolls' the technology, they were able to decipher the contents and even identify the author of an ancient piece entitled 'On Vices.' The tome, on how to live a virtuous life, was written by Greek Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, who lived in Herculaneum from 110 B.C. until 35 B.C. The discovery of his work within the ruins of Pompeii indicates that Philodemus' work was still highly regarded amongst modern people. 'Finding the full title of a work inside a scroll that has been unread for two millennia is an astonishing achievement,' Richard Ovenden, who works at the library which houses the scrolls, told the Daily Mail. '[It] illustrates the huge potential for AI to transform arts and humanities scholarship, our understanding of the past, and breathes new life into ancient artifacts.' Although the AI technology allows researchers to virtually unroll the scrolls, reading what was inscribed within them is still a difficult task. The document was eventually unfurled and decoded by two separate research teams: Marcel Roth and Micha Nowak from the University of Würzburg, Germany; and Sean Johnson with Vesuvius Challenge, a program which awards cash prizes to those who are able to decipher the scrolls. 'The simultaneous reproduction of the title image from multiple sources, along with independent scholarly review, provides a high degree of confidence in the reading,' the Bodleian Libraries said. As it turns out, their hard work paid off. Roth and Nowak took home the very first Vesuvius Challenge Title Prize, which included a reward of $60,000.
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Title of scroll burnt to a crisp by Mt Vesuvius 2,000 years ago finally read by AI – & we even know who wrote them
The University of Oxford's Bodleian Library holds a number of the scrolls, which have been left untouched for decades CHARRED SECRETS Title of scroll burnt to a crisp by Mt Vesuvius 2,000 years ago finally read by AI – & we even know who wrote them Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RESEARCHERS have deciphered the title and author of a charred scroll destroyed by the Mount Vesuvius eruption 2,000 years ago. The tightly bound scroll cannot be opened since its delicate, burnt pages would only fall apart. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The scroll was discovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town that was buried under the massive volcanic fallout from Mount Vesuvius Credit: Vesuvius Challenge 6 After 'virtually unwrapping' scroll PHerc. 172, researchers discovered it was titled On Vices by the Greek philosopher Philodemus Credit: Vesuvius Challenge 6 The text offered ancient Romans guidance for cultivating a virtuous life, according to researchers Credit: Vesuvius Challenge 6 The University of Oxford's Bodleian Library holds a number of the scrolls, which have been left untouched for decades Credit: Vesuvius Challenge Therefore, researchers have used a cutting-edge technique hinging on artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal the lost text. The scroll was discovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town that was buried under the massive volcanic fallout from Mount Vesuvius. After 'virtually unwrapping' scroll PHerc. 172, researchers discovered it was titled On Vices by the Greek philosopher Philodemus. The text offered ancient Romans guidance for cultivating a virtuous life, according to researchers. Philodemus, who lived between roughly 110 and 30 BCE, was an Epicurean philosopher and poet from Gadara. The University of Oxford's Bodleian Library holds a number of the scrolls, which have been left untouched for decades. But recent advancements in technology have allowed the scrolls to be 3D reconstructed with powerful X-ray beams without damaging them. Once researchers have identified each layer of the scroll, AI is used to detect the ink. The ink is digitally painted onto the scroll, for researchers to decipher. As part of an international competition, researchers have found the title and author inside of a sealed scroll for the first time. The Vesuvius Challenge awards money to all those who can help decipher the charred scrolls housed at the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford. The Tragic History of Pompeii Researchers behind this latest feat have been awarded the Vesuvius Challenge First Title Prize, which includes prize money of $60,000. This was achieved by two parties at roughly the same time - Sean Johnson from the Vesuvius Challenge, and Marcel Roth and Micha Nowak from the University of Würzburg. The pages of the relic PHerc. 172 were first published in February, the title page had yet to be deciphered. PHerc.172 is one of roughly 800 scrolls unearthed in the Villa of the Papyri, a luxurious estate believed to have belonged to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, Julius Caesar's father-in-law. How AI & X-rays are unravelling scroll secrets AI and X-rays are revolutionising the study of ancient scrolls by enabling researchers to virtually "unroll" and decipher texts that are too fragile to handle physically. X-rays, particularly advanced methods like X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), create highly detailed 3D scans of scrolls. These scans capture the layers of tightly wound or damaged parchment or papyrus without physically unrolling them, preserving their integrity. X-rays can also detect variations in density caused by metallic or carbon-based inks used in ancient writing. AI algorithms, particularly those using deep learning, can segment layers of text by identifying and separating individual layers of the scroll from 3D X-ray data, isolating the text for analysis. They can also recognise text by enhancing faint markings or patterns corresponding to ancient writing, often revealing characters that are invisible to the naked eye. AI algorithms can reconstruct incomplete sections as well. Machine-learning models can fill in the gaps or predict any missing text. For scrolls where X-rays detect ink differences, AI can distinguish metallic inks - typically used in later periods of history - from carbon-based inks, enabling a more detailed and context-sensitive interpretation. Advanced imaging can also track even faint remnants of ink strokes, reconstructing text in incredible detail. The villa, based in Herculaneum, was thought to house one of the finest libraries of antiquity, including works of Greek philosophy and possibly undiscovered Roman literature. The first milestone in the Vesuvius Challenge was reached in February 2024, when three students shared a $700,000 prize for reading parts of another scroll. The success of the competition has attracted tech moguls like Elon Musk, who funded later phases of the competition. 6 The scroll was discovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town that was buried under the massive volcanic fallout from Mount Vesuvius Credit: Bodleian Library
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Title of scroll burnt to a crisp by Mt Vesuvius 2,000 years ago finally read by AI – & we even know who wrote them
RESEARCHERS have deciphered the title and author of a charred scroll destroyed by the Mount Vesuvius eruption 2,000 years ago. The tightly bound scroll cannot be opened since its delicate, burnt pages would only fall apart. Advertisement 6 The scroll was discovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town that was buried under the massive volcanic fallout from Mount Vesuvius Credit: Vesuvius Challenge 6 After 'virtually unwrapping' scroll PHerc. 172, researchers discovered it was titled On Vices by the Greek philosopher Philodemus Credit: Vesuvius Challenge 6 The text offered ancient Romans guidance for cultivating a virtuous life, according to researchers Credit: Vesuvius Challenge 6 The University of Oxford's Bodleian Library holds a number of the scrolls, which have been left untouched for decades Credit: Vesuvius Challenge Therefore, researchers have used a cutting-edge technique hinging on artificial intelligence (AI) to reveal the lost text. The scroll was discovered in After 'virtually unwrapping' scroll PHerc. 172, researchers discovered it was titled On Vices by the Greek philosopher Philodemus. The text offered ancient Romans guidance for cultivating a virtuous life, according to researchers. Advertisement READ MORE ON ARCHAEOLOGY Philodemus, who lived between roughly 110 and 30 BCE, was an Epicurean philosopher and poet from Gadara. The University of Oxford's Bodleian Library holds a number of the scrolls, which have been left untouched for decades. But recent advancements in technology have allowed the scrolls to be 3D reconstructed with powerful X-ray beams without damaging them. Once researchers have identified each layer of the scroll, AI is used to detect the ink. Advertisement Most read in Tech The ink is digitally painted onto the scroll, for researchers to decipher. As part of an international competition, researchers have found the title and author inside of a sealed scroll for the first time. The Vesuvius Challenge awards money to all those who can help decipher the charred scrolls housed at the Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford. The Tragic History of Pompeii Researchers behind this latest feat have been awarded the Vesuvius Challenge First Title Prize, which includes prize money of $60,000. Advertisement This was achieved by two parties at roughly the same time - Sean Johnson from the Vesuvius Challenge, and Marcel Roth and Micha Nowak from the University of Würzburg. The pages of the relic PHerc. 172 were first published in February, the title page had yet to be deciphered. PHerc.172 is one of roughly 800 scrolls unearthed in the Villa of the Papyri, a luxurious estate believed to have belonged to Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, Julius Caesar's father-in-law. How AI & X-rays are unravelling scroll secrets AI and X-rays are revolutionising the study of ancient scrolls by enabling researchers to virtually "unroll" and decipher texts that are too fragile to handle physically. X-rays, particularly advanced methods like X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), create highly detailed 3D scans of scrolls. These scans capture the layers of tightly wound or damaged parchment or papyrus without physically unrolling them, preserving their integrity. X-rays can also detect variations in density caused by metallic or carbon-based inks used in ancient writing. AI algorithms, particularly those using deep learning, can segment layers of text by identifying and separating individual layers of the scroll from 3D X-ray data, isolating the text for analysis. They can also recognise text by enhancing faint markings or patterns corresponding to ancient writing, often revealing characters that are invisible to the naked eye. AI algorithms can reconstruct incomplete sections as well. Machine-learning models can fill in the gaps or predict any missing text. For scrolls where X-rays detect ink differences, AI can distinguish metallic inks - typically used in later periods of history - from carbon-based inks, enabling a more detailed and context-sensitive interpretation. Advanced imaging can also track even faint remnants of ink strokes, reconstructing text in incredible detail. The villa, based in Herculaneum, was thought to house one of the finest libraries of antiquity, including works of Greek philosophy and possibly undiscovered Roman literature. Advertisement The first milestone in the Vesuvius Challenge was reached in February 2024, when three students shared a $700,000 prize for reading parts of another scroll. The success of the competition has attracted tech moguls like Elon Musk, who funded later phases of the competition. 6 The scroll was discovered in Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town that was buried under the massive volcanic fallout from Mount Vesuvius Credit: Bodleian Library 6 Last year, the Vesuvius Challenge team managed to read about 5% of another Herculaneum scroll Credit: Bodleian Library Advertisement
NDTV
06-05-2025
- Science
- NDTV
How X-Ray Offered Peek Inside 2,000-Year-Old Herculaneum Scroll
Researchers have revealed the identity of the author behind a charred scroll from the first century BC, thanks to the advanced X-ray technology. Found in the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, the scroll contains part of a multi-volume work titled "On Vices" and was written by an ancient Greek philosopher, Philodemus. The charred scroll was recovered from a Roman villa, believed to have been the home of Julius Caesar's father-in-law. The scroll, along with the villa, was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago. Using the X-ray, the researchers were able to look inside the burned scroll, which was made up of ancient paper called carbonised papyrus. They virtually unwrapped the scroll and, for the first time with this method, managed to uncover important details such as the title and the author. This was made possible because the X-ray images revealed traces of ink lettering. Dr Michael McOsker, a papyrologist at University College London, told The Guardian, "It's the first scroll where the ink could just be seen on the scan. Nobody knew what it was about. We didn't even know if it had writing on." It is one of the three ancient scrolls from Herculaneum now kept at the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Many ancient scrolls have been discovered earlier and are currently kept at the National Library of Naples. But when researchers attempted to open them and read, they couldn't, for the scrolls were burned during the volcanic eruption. Even the ink is hard to read on the black, carbonised papyrus. So, in 2023, a Vesuvius Challenge was launched worldwide to help read the Herculaneum scrolls using 3D X-rays technology. It carried an award for anyone who could successfully decode the ancient texts. Last year, a group of tech-savvy students won $700,000 (approx. Rs 6 crore) grand prize for using artificial intelligence software that allowed them to decode 2,000 Greek letters from another scroll. Dr Brent Seales, a computer scientist at the University of Kentucky who co-founded the Vesuvius Challenge, said, "We're seeing evidence of ink in many of the new scrolls we've scanned, but we haven't converted that into coherent text yet." "That's our current bottleneck: converting the massive scan data into organised sections that are properly segmented, virtually flattened, and enhanced so that the evidence of ink can then be interpreted as actual text," he added.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
X-ray reveals ancient Greek author of charred first century BC Vesuvius scroll
A charred scroll recovered from a Roman villa that was buried under ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago has been identified as the influential work of an ancient Greek philosopher. Researchers discovered the title and author on the Herculaneum scroll after X-raying the carbonised papyrus and virtually unwrapping it on a computer, the first time such crucial details have been gleaned from the approach. Traces of ink lettering visible in the X-ray images revealed the text to be part of a multi-volume work, On Vices, written by the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus in the first century BC. The scroll is one of three from Herculaneum housed at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford. 'It's the first scroll where the ink could just be seen on the scan,' said Dr Michael McOsker, a papyrologist at University College London, who is collaborating with researchers in Oxford to read the text. 'Nobody knew what it was about. We didn't even know if it had writing on.' The scroll is one of hundreds found in the library of a luxury Roman villa thought to have been owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law. The villa was buried under ash and pumice when Herculaneum, near Naples, was destroyed along with Pompeii in the eruption of AD79. Excavations in the 18th century recovered many of the ancient scrolls, most of which are held at the National Library of Naples. But the documents are so badly burnt that they crumble when researchers try to unroll them and the ink is unreadable on the carbonised papyrus. The latest work builds on earlier breakthroughs from the Vesuvius Challenge, a global competition launched in 2023, which offers prizes for progress in reading the scrolls from 3D X-rays. Last year, a team of computer-savvy students shared the $700,000 (£527,350) grand prize for developing artificial intelligence software that enabled them to read 2,000 ancient Greek letters from another scroll. The scroll from the Bodleian, named PHerc. 172, was scanned last July at Diamond, the UK's national synchrotron facility in Oxfordshire. Unusually, some ink was visible in the X-ray images, with researchers spotting the ancient Greek word for 'disgust' at least twice in the document. Further work by Sean Johnson at the Vesuvius Challenge, and separately by Marcel Roth and Micha Nowak at the University of Würzburg, found the title and author of the text in the innermost section of the scroll, earning them the challenge's $60,000 (£45,200) first title prize. Alongside 'On Vices' and 'Philodemus', a book number on the scroll may be an alpha, suggesting it could be the first instalment of the work. On Vices contains at least 10 books with others covering topics such as arrogance, greed, flattery and household management. Before long, experts should know far more about the scrolls. Eighteen were scanned at Diamond in March and 20 more will be imaged at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble this week. 'We're seeing evidence of ink in many of the new scrolls we've scanned but we haven't converted that into coherent text yet,' said Dr Brent Seales, a computer scientist at the University of Kentucky, who co-founded the Vesuvius Challenge. 'That's our current bottleneck: converting the massive scan data into organised sections that are properly segmented, virtually flattened, and enhanced so that the evidence of ink can then be interpreted as actual text.' McOsker said: 'The pace is ramping up very quickly … All of the technological progress that's been made on this has been in the last three to five years and on the timescales of classicists, that's unbelievable. Everything we're getting from the Herculaneum library is new to us.'
