A revolutionary advancement in the field of ancient literature has been achieved by an international team of scholars using cutting-edge technology – machine learning. The scholars successfully extracted 15 columns of ancient Greek text from a carbonized papyrus found in Herculaneum, a Roman town near Naples, Italy, buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.
Their remarkable feat was recognized with a grand prize of US$700,000 from the Vesuvius Challenge, which aimed to incentivize technological innovation by inviting public participation in the study of ancient papyri.
The collaboration between computer scientist Brent Seales, along with technology investors Nat Friedman and Daniel Gross, led to the development of a non-invasive method that utilizes machine learning to decipher ancient texts while preserving the integrity of the scrolls.
The Herculaneum papyri, discovered in the 18th century, represent the largest intact ancient library found to date, offering a unique glimpse into the intellectual pursuits of the time. However, due to their fragile nature, studying these papyri has always posed challenges, requiring innovative approaches.
Through the Vesuvius Challenge, researchers made significant progress in unraveling the texts, with the retrieval of four passages comprising 140 characters each, earning the victors the coveted grand prize. The deciphered text hints at discussions of music, taste, and sight, likely reflecting philosophical themes similar to those of the ancient philosopher Epicurus.
Moving forward, the challenge sets ambitious goals for 2024, aiming to read 90% of four scrolls, paving the way for further discoveries in the realm of ancient literature. However, obstacles such as access to high-resolution scanning equipment and the costly process of segmentation still pose challenges to be addressed.
While technology plays a pivotal role in unlocking the secrets of the Herculaneum papyri, the expertise of papyrologists and scholars versed in ancient languages remains crucial for interpreting and piecing together the recovered texts. It is through the combined efforts of cutting-edge technology and human intellect that the mysteries of the past are slowly being unveiled, offering new insights into the rich tapestry of ancient wisdom.
