Students Use AI to Decipher Ancient Scroll Destroyed by Vesuvius
Three students have successfully used artificial intelligence (AI) to decipher never-before-seen passages from an ancient scroll that was almost destroyed during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago. Luke Farritor from Nebraska, Youssef Nader from Egypt, and Julian Schilliger, a Swiss robotics student, trained AI to scan the charred papyrus, which would crumble upon contact with human hands.
The students won the Vesuvius Challenge, launched by Silicon Valley hacker Brent Seales in 2023. They spent around 20 hours each day training the AI to penetrate the layers of the rolled-up scroll. As a result, they managed to unveil passages that shed light on the subject of pleasure, a central pillar of Epicurean philosophy. The scroll explores topics such as music, capers, and color, providing valuable insights into ancient life.
For their groundbreaking achievement, the students will split the $700,000 prize money. Papyrologist Richard Janko from the University of Michigan, who was one of the prize judges, believes the author of the scroll may be Philodemus, a follower of Epicurus and the teacher of Vergil.
The discovery of the scroll is remarkable considering the condition of the artifacts. The scrolls, which resemble blocks of coal, were buried in volcanic mud for over 1,600 years. They were unearthed in the 1700s by a worker drilling a well for water, leading to the accidental discovery of the lost city of Herculaneum, buried alongside Pompeii.
Attempts to physically handle or open the scrolls resulted in their disintegration. The only way to access their content was to use AI technology. High-resolution scans of two scrolls were posted on the Vesuvius Challenge’s website, allowing researchers like Luke Farritor to utilize virtual wrapping to read the words inside.
The successful interpretation of these passages provides a significant contribution to our understanding of ancient civilizations. It also showcases the power of AI technology in the field of archaeology and the preservation of cultural heritage.
While the students’ achievement is undoubtedly remarkable, it also raises questions about the future of deciphering ancient texts. Will AI continue to play a crucial role in unraveling the mysteries of the past? Only time will tell, but the potential is promising.
The deciphering of the Herculaneum scroll opens up new avenues of research and offers a tantalizing glimpse into the lives of those who lived thousands of years ago. Thanks to the relentless efforts of these talented students and the power of AI, history continues to reveal its hidden treasures.
