A papyrus scroll that was burned and carbonized when Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2,000 years ago has been virtually unrolled and partially deciphered with the help of artificial intelligence.
The Discovery
The scroll, named PHerc. 1667, is one of hundreds from the ancient Roman town of Herculaneum, which was buried under volcanic debris when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The scroll was preserved under mud and ash in a villa believed to have once been owned by the father-in-law of Julius Caesar.
The text appears to be a philosophical discussion of ethics, arts, and human behavior, probably reflecting Stoic thought. It includes discussion of the Stoic concept of “horme,” or impulse, with the unknown author appearing to warn that failure to regulate behavior can lead to a harmful passion or a diversion from one’s goals.
The Significance
The discovery is a significant breakthrough in the field of papyrology, and it sheds new light on the intellectual and cultural landscape of ancient Rome. The use of artificial intelligence in deciphering the scroll is a testament to the power of technology in uncovering the secrets of the past.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
