AI and X-rays may unlock ancient Roman scrolls buried by Vesuvius
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Scientists from the University of California, Berkeley and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are working to read ancient Roman scrolls damaged when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE.
Researchers discovered lead within the ink used on fragments of the scrolls, a finding that helps them use X-ray technology. This technology, combined with artificial intelligence, may allow them to decipher texts that have remained unreadable for centuries.
The team published their findings on September 16, 2026, in the journal PLOS One. They focused on the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum, Italy, a site buried by the volcanic eruption. Previous attempts to unroll the scrolls caused further damage, making reading the contents impossible. The presence of lead in the ink is crucial because lead absorbs X-rays more strongly than the papyrus itself. This difference allows the X-ray technology to create contrast, revealing the letters.
Researchers then use artificial intelligence to interpret these images and reconstruct the text. The scientists hope to eventually read a large number of scrolls from the Villa of the Papyri. This project builds on earlier work using similar methods to read individual scrolls. However, the discovery of lead in the ink significantly improves the potential for widespread decipherment. The team continues to refine the technology and AI algorithms.
