Coming Soon: Ancient Knowledge & Wisdom

We are on the verge of being able to read scrolls that were buried and charred in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. A collection of 1,800 scrolls were discovered in an ancient Roman villa near Pompeii during excavations in the 18th century. However, attempting to unroll and read these fragile scrolls has proven extremely difficult over the years.

Recently, researchers have been using a new X-ray technique called “phase-contrast tomography” to virtually unroll and decipher the scrolls. This allows them to see inside the scrolls and read the ancient Greek and Latin texts without physically unrolling them. So far they have had success reading a few scrolls, including one discussing the Greek philosopher Epicurus.

The researchers believe there may still be hundreds of scrolls that could provide insight into ancient philosophical thinking and day-to-day life during that period. However, the scrolls are very delicate and the technology is still in early stages. The work requires scanning the individual scrolls in very small pieces. Nonetheless, this work marks an exciting advancement in reading these long-lost ancient texts.

“Scholars have long faced a choice between attempting to read concealed texts (and potentially destroying them in the process) or conserving them unread. Brent Seales’ technology is removing that dilemma.”

It is a long read, but well worth it.