AI has initiated the decoding of ancient scrolls damaged by the eruption of Vesuvius.

An international team of researchers has achieved a breakthrough in deciphering ancient scrolls that were nearly destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The discovery was reported by the Associated Press.

Hundreds of papyri were found in the 1750s among the ruins of an opulent Roman villa in Herculaneum—a city that was obliterated alongside Pompeii. However, their fragile condition made it impossible to unroll them, hindering research for many years.

The first document to be studied was PHerc. 172, which is housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. The scroll is filled with texts in ancient Greek, written with carbon ink.

To decipher the text, scientists employed artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision, and 3D geometry. Additionally, they utilized a synchrotron—a powerful particle accelerator that produces high-intensity X-rays, enabling detailed images of the scroll's interior.

AI assisted in detecting traces of ink and virtually "unrolling" the text, creating a three-dimensional reconstruction. So far, researchers have managed to make out several words, including "disgust," "fear," and "life."

The researchers are confident that modern technologies will allow them to decipher a larger portion of the text, providing new insights into the life and philosophy of the ancient world.