A 2,000-year-old Herculaneum scroll has been virtually “unwrapped” for the first time, revealing Greek text hidden beneath layers of carbonized papyrus.
Scientists used X-ray imaging and artificial intelligence to digitally peel apart the fragile document, which had been locked away since Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.
Earlier attempts to unroll similar documents destroyed them, leaving researchers with little hope of ever reading the material.
Cutting-edge technology brings scroll to life
A research team used X-ray imaging and artificial intelligence to digitally “unroll” the scroll without physical contact. The process occurred at Diamond Light Source, a research facility in Oxfordshire, where a powerful synchrotron—a machine that accelerates electrons to nearly the speed of light—scanned the scroll.
The X-rays created a 3D reconstruction of the tightly wound papyrus, which measures about 10 meters in length.
Scientists then used AI to detect ink traces hidden within the layers. Because the ink and the papyrus are made from carbon, distinguishing them was challenging. The AI analyzed tiny patterns and digitally “painted” the letters to make them visible.
“We can tell the entire scroll is full of text,” said Stephen Parsons, lead researcher of the Vesuvius Challenge, an international competition to decode ancient manuscripts.
“Now we can work on making it show up more clearly. We’re going to go from a handful of words to really substantial passages.”
A glimpse into the past
Early results suggest the Herculaneum scroll contains Greek Epicurean philosophy, a school of thought that teaches fulfillment can be found in simple, everyday pleasures.
The Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford holds several similar scrolls, many of which have remained untouched for decades due to their delicate condition.
This is truly incredible. This software engineer decoded part of a scroll from the Herculaneum Papyri, a library flash-fried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The text, unread for 2000 years, is likely by philosopher Philodemus, who writes about music, food, and how to enjoy life. https://t.co/h3CzwleHFj pic.twitter.com/tNK4nbzJ55
— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) February 3, 2025
Last year, the Vesuvius Challenge team read about 5% of another Herculaneum scroll, uncovering philosophical content. Researchers believe the latest discovery could expand knowledge of these ancient teachings.
“There’s a real human aspect to it that I just think is really precious,” said Nicole Gilroy, head of book conservation at the Bodleian Library. “I just love that connection with whoever collected them, whoever wrote them, whoever rolled those scrolls up and put them on the shelves.”
Unlocking more lost texts
Hundreds of scrolls from Herculaneum remain unread, but scientists hope continued advancements in AI and imaging will change that. The latest project’s success has sparked renewed efforts to retrieve more lost writings from the volcanic disaster.
With new computational power and innovative scanning techniques, researchers say they are closer than ever to bringing voices from ancient Rome back to life.
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