In a development that could accelerate the reading of ancient writings, a team of scientists and citizen volunteers has demonstrated that lead‑containing ink makes carbonized scrolls far more visible under X‑ray tomography. By fabricating replica scrolls that mimic the charred papyri recovered from the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the researchers identified a clear imaging advantage that may guide future efforts to virtually unroll the priceless Herculaneum collection housed in the National Library of Naples.
How the experiment was conducted
Lead author Douglas Seiler, a research volunteer from the University of California, Berkeley, described the process: the team used Egyptian papyrus and carbon‑based ink similar to that used in ancient Pompeii. They wrote passages drawn from the Bible, classic cinema scripts, and even a 1960s television show, then rolled the sheets and carbonized them in a low‑oxygen furnace to replicate the conditions that preserved the original scrolls.
These replicas were sent to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where experts applied high‑resolution X‑ray tomography. By varying the concentration of lead in the ink, the team observed that even modest amounts of the metal produced a strong signal that stood out against the surrounding charcoal, allowing artificial‑intelligence algorithms to detect the text far more reliably.
Why lead matters
“The scrolls are really just like a brick of charcoal that you buy for your barbecue,” Seiler explained. “The ink is made from soot, so it’s dark carbon on dark carbon, which makes it hard for AI to see.” When lead is introduced, the ink lights up in the X‑ray scans, providing a distinct contrast that AI can latch onto. This finding aligns with earlier discoveries from 2009 and 2016 that identified lead in a handful of genuine Herculaneum fragments, suggesting the metal was an accidental addition rather than a standard ingredient.
Computer scientist Brent Seales, co‑creator of the Vesuvius Challenge, noted that while the presence of metal varies widely, the overall low concentrations point to accidental inclusion. Nonetheless, he emphasized that scrolls without metal are still readable, and the challenge’s AI tools continue to improve.
Implications for the real scrolls
The researchers propose a two‑step approach for the authentic collection. First, a rapid X‑ray scan could determine which scrolls contain lead, flagging them as prime candidates for virtual unrolling. Seiler suggested that a “lead signal is very strong” and could be identified in minutes, allowing scholars to prioritize resources on the most promising fragments.
To date, only a single complete scroll and a few passages have been deciphered, largely thanks to the Vesuvius Challenge, a competition launched in 2023 that offers cash prizes for successful virtual unwrapping. The new method could expand the pool of scrolls eligible for decoding, potentially unlocking works by ancient philosophers, poets, and other lost authors.
Future directions
The team plans to test the technique on actual Herculaneum scrolls, measuring the percentage that contain lead and refining AI models accordingly. If successful, the approach could become a standard step in the workflow of scholars worldwide, combining cutting‑edge imaging with machine‑learning analysis to bring centuries‑old words back into the light.
“Somehow the scrolls found a way to survive, and we have found a way to redeem them,” Seales said. “If their revelation is helped by accidental chemistry like lead that found its way into the ink, we can add another miracle to a string of them needed to bring those words back from the brink.”
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
