Monetary Reward Proposed by Scientists for Decoding Mysterious Ancient Scrolls
In a significant development, experts are focusing on the development of AI technology to read the carbonised scrolls from Herculaneum, which were buried in the volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD 79. These scrolls, thought to contain literature from Greek and Roman scholars, have long been a tantalising glimpse into the past, but reading them has been a huge challenge for experts due to their extreme fragility.
The challenge of deciphering the Herculaneum Scrolls lies in their extreme fragility, as they would turn to dust if opened physically. To overcome this, researchers are now calling on engineers to develop AI that can read the scrolls via scanning methods. This approach allows for the analysis of the text without physically opening the scrolls, preserving their delicate nature.
One such success story comes from the University of Oxford, where scientists have successfully recovered some text on one of the scrolls (PHerc.172) using x-rays and ink detection software. This groundbreaking achievement has sparked excitement amongst the research community, with scientists expressing their delight at being the first to see text written 2000 years ago.
Another significant breakthrough was made by researchers led by Brent Seales from the University of Kentucky, who used AI-assisted scanning methods to decipher the Herculaneum scrolls. Their efforts were recognised with a prize of £400,000. The Institut de France in Paris also made headlines when students successfully deciphered one of the scrolls using AI, earning them a prize of $700,000 (£550,000).
The potential of this technology is vast, as it opens up the possibility of reading the previously unreadable. A £400,000 prize is being offered to anyone who can decipher the set of ancient scrolls, further incentivising the pursuit of this groundbreaking research.
As we continue to unravel the secrets of the Herculaneum Scrolls, we are not only gaining a deeper understanding of our past, but we are also pushing the boundaries of what is possible with technology. The future of this research is exciting, and we look forward to the discoveries that lie ahead.
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