AI helps to understand unreadable text by analyzing 2,000-year-old burnt Roman scrolls

In a groundbreaking achievement, Luke Farritter, a 21-year-old software engineering student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College, won a global competition to analyze the mysterious Herculaneum Papyri. They proved that AI can help decipher unreadable text by analyzing 2,000-year-old burnt Roman scrolls.

The Herculaneum Papyri: An Ancient Discovery

Background on the Herculaneum Papyri

The Herculaneum Papyri consist of more than 1,800 papyrus scrolls found in Italy in the 18th century. Earlier it was not possible to read because it was unreadable. The advancement came when Luke Ferriter, a 21-year-old software engineering student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College, developed an AI calculation to solve the text.

Using subtle surface texture differences, the Greek letters on the paper highlighted words such as “πορϕυρας”, which denotes “violet”.

Preservation Challenges and Historical Significance

With approximately 95% of the material from the Classical era having been destroyed, the current discovery not only provides a look at older manuscripts but also sheds light on an important moment in human history. For researchers, this was a major hurdle.

Beyond their content, the Herculaneum Papyri are important. Their preservation provides a special glimpse of the discussions and intellectual activities of ancient times. It is hoped that continued efforts to decode these scrolls will reveal more about the lives, thoughts and discussions of individuals who lived two thousand years ago.

The Story behind AI helps to understand unreadable text

The Mount Vesuvius Eruption and Preservation

Pompeii and Herculaneum, two ancient Roman cities, were buried in volcanic mud by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Over 1,100 Herculaneum Scrolls were found in the home of Julius Caesar’s father-in-law. In the past, attempts to open and read the scrolls had resulted in damage. The scrolls were preserved in their charred state until recent advances in technology made it possible to virtually open them using computer tomography and advanced AI.

Historical Attempts at Unraveling the Scrolls

The Herculaneum Scrolls were broken during attempts to open and study them in the early 19th century. Due to the softness of carbonized papyrus, traditional processes were useless. Researchers like Brent Seals have been working for years developing methods, including the use of CT scans for “virtual unwrapping.” Recent developments in AI and the global competition Vesuvius Challenge have resulted in significant progress in decoding the scrolls.

The Vesuvius Challenge: Accelerating Discovery

1. The Herculaneum Scrolls, which were burned by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, are currently being deciphered as part of a competition called the Vesuvius Challenge.
2. This brings glory to researchers who successfully decipher the written words of the carbonized scrolls.
3. A machine learning technique helped 21-year-old computer science student Luke Ferriter decipher more than 10 characters in a small piece of papyrus, earning him a $40,000 reward.
4. Youssef Nader, a graduate student at the Free University of Berlin, won $10,000 for placing second in the competition.

Introduction to the Vesuvius Challenge

1. Over 1,800 papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum that have been burned beyond recognition are the subject of the challenge.
2. The Greek letters on the scroll were successfully identified by Ferriter’s technique, which is based on subtle surface texture variations.

Cash Prizes and Incentives for Researchers

1. The Vesuvius Challenge offers a series of prizes, culminating in a $700,000 main prize for reading four or more excerpts from a rolled-up scroll.
2. Casey Handemer won $10,000 for being the first person to find solid evidence of ink within the sealed scroll.
3. The challenge is supported by Silicon Valley investors and has generated significant interest in academia.
4. Understanding these scrolls could change our understanding of the ancient world. Thousands more scrolls may still be exposed in the villa.

Revolutionary Technology: Virtual Unwrapping

1. Before an invention in virtual unwrapping, the Herculaneum scrolls, burned by Mount Vesuvius, were long thought to be unclear.
2. This ground-breaking method involves scanning the tied papyrus with computer tomography and virtually reducing it for analysis.
3. Researchers are able to understand ancient text by identifying the ink on the page using cutting-edge AI integration.

Computer Tomography and Its Role

1. Before an innovation in virtual unwrapping, the Herculaneum scrolls, burned by Mount Vesuvius, were long thought to be unintelligible.
2. This ground-breaking method involves scanning the coiled papyrus with computer tomography and virtually flattening it for analysis.
3. Researchers can decipher ancient text by identifying the ink on the page using cutting-edge AI integration.

Virtual Flattening and Advanced AI Integration

1. Researchers virtually flatten the scrolls for examination after the CT scan.
2. To make the ancient text easier to read, advanced AI that has been trained to detect ink is used.
3. Words like “o” or “porphyras,” which mean “purple,” have been successfully identified thanks to the combination of these techniques.

Future Prospects: How AI helps to understand unreadable text

1. With the new understanding of the Herculaneum scrolls, future reports now have exciting fresh possibilities to explore.
2. Ongoing efforts are seen as a sign of developing projects that might result in important insights into the past.

Expected Timelines for Further Discoveries

1. Prof. Brent Seales hopes for a partially read scroll to meet contest conditions by the end of the year.
2. A complete deciphering of a scroll is anticipated by the end of 2024, indicating promising progress in the field.

Implications for Understanding the Ancient World

1. Recovering and interpreting this library could revolutionize our knowledge of ancient times, akin to the Renaissance’s impact.
2. The word “purple” (‘porphyras’) may provide clues about various aspects, such as production processes and historical events.

Summary

The Herculaneum Papyri, burned by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, were long considered unreadable. However, Luke Ferriter, a 21-year-old computer science student, first used a machine learning algorithm to understand the text. His method focused on detecting Greek letters by analyzing microscopic surface textures. One of the decoded words, “πορϕυρας,” means “violet.” Ferriter won $40,000 in the Vesuvius Challenge. These discoveries prove that AI helps in understanding unreadable text.

These coal-like scrolls can provide us with vital information about an important period in history, recovering lost knowledge. There may be a possibility of finding thousands more scrolls. This breakthrough bridges the gap between modern humanity and ancient civilizations.