In an extraordinary leap forward reminiscent of a modern renaissance, technologists and scholars harness advanced AI tools to decode secrets from ancient scrolls, including texts that offer insights into the life of the celebrated Greek philosopher Plato.
This effort is part of a larger initiative to read, restore, and translate ancient languages and texts. A recent breakthrough in this initiative claims to have identified Plato’s final resting place within the confines of his historic Athens Academy. This revelation was made by analysing a papyrus scroll unearthed in a villa in Herculaneum, which was buried under ash during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
The scroll in question, “The History of the Academy”, penned by first-century philosopher Philodemus, had long been studied but remained only partially understood due to its deteriorated condition. Employing hyperspectral imaging techniques, researchers illuminated the fragments with infrared light, uncovering previously invisible letters and restoring 20% to 30% more text, including about 1,000 additional letters.
This scroll deepens our understanding of Plato’s philosophies. It suggests the existence of one or two previously unknown texts concerning the Megarians and the Cynics, expanding the frontier for historical and philosophical research. The success of this endeavour has ignited further pursuits to decipher more ancient manuscripts, including the fragile, carbonised scrolls from Herculaneum that cannot be physically unfurled.
Under the guidance of Brent Seales, a computer scientist from the University of Kentucky, innovative techniques have been developed to virtually unwrap these scrolls using CT scans, allowing scholars to read the texts without risking physical damage. This initiative, bolstered by the Vesuvius Challenge—a contest backed by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs—aims to decipher 90% of a scroll by year’s end through the analysis of fragment scans.
The implications of these technological advances reach beyond just the Herculaneum scrolls. They promise new insights into ancient documents wrapped around Egyptian mummies and other preserved artefacts. The introduction of AI tools like Ithaca, a Transformer-based model, is revolutionising the field by predicting missing characters in inscriptions and suggesting their origins.
This innovative blend of technology and traditional scholarship reshapes our understanding of ancient texts. By creating comprehensive and well-maintained datasets spanning diverse languages and writings, researchers are fostering trust and involvement from both the public and academic communities.
As we continue to unlock ancient secrets through these sophisticated technologies, we broaden our knowledge of history and gain deeper insights into the language, society, and political landscapes of ancient civilisations. This new era, a blend of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology, heralds a deeper appreciation and understanding of our collective human heritage.
