AI Decodes Ancient Herculaneum Scrolls, Revealing Insights into Philosopher's Works

  • 6 months ago
Researchers have revealed the first full passages decoded from the famously inscrutable Herculaneum scrolls using AI. Over 1,000 scrolls survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD near Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy.
Transcript
00:00 It's Benzinga and here's what's on the block.
00:02 Researchers have revealed the first full passage is decoded from the famous Herculaneum scrolls
00:07 using AI. Over a thousand scrolls survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
00:13 near Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy. The decoded text is from the end of a scroll and contains
00:18 words written by philosopher Philodemus on the topic of pleasure. One sentence discusses whether
00:25 abundance diminishes pleasure in relation to food and goods. The passages give new insights
00:30 into a philosopher who was long dismissed due to the inability to read his works. Researchers aim
00:35 to decode an almost entire scroll this year using virtual unwrapping techniques. For all things
00:39 money visit Benzinga.com

Recommended