Scientists have finally managed to read parts of an ancient Herculaneum scroll that was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago! Thanks to cutting-edge technology like AI and a particle scanner, some words from the scroll have been revealed.
The scroll, known as PHerc. 172, was found in the city of Herculaneum, which was covered in scorching ash when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Since the scroll is burned and extremely fragile, opening it physically is impossible. But now, scientists are using an ultra-powerful X-ray beam from a device called a synchrotron to look inside. With AI’s help, they’ve identified ancient Greek words like “foolish,” “fear,” “disgust,” and “life.”
Experts believe this scroll was likely written by the ancient Greek philosopher Philodemus of Gadara. The research team is still working to understand the full text, since AI can detect hidden ink, but humans are needed to interpret what it actually means.
This discovery is a huge milestone for archaeology and science. Imagine being able to read something written 2,000 years ago—without even unrolling the scroll! Scientists are excited to uncover more secrets hidden within other Herculaneum scrolls.
So, What Was Ancient Herculaneum?
Herculaneum was an ancient Roman city chilling by the coast of Italy, not too far from Pompeii. It was actually a pretty fancy place—think of it as the VIP version of Pompeii, where wealthier Romans had their summer villas with ocean views. People here enjoyed good food, art, and luxurious baths. Life was good… until Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
Unlike Pompeii, which was buried under layers of volcanic ash, Herculaneum got hit with a deadly wave of super-hot gas and lava called a pyroclastic surge. Everything in its path was instantly fried, but in a strange twist, this extreme heat also preserved a lot of things in incredible detail. Wooden doors, furniture, even food—some of it survived in a way that archaeologists today can still study!
One of the most fascinating discoveries? The Herculaneum scrolls. These ancient writings were part of a massive library, possibly owned by a rich Roman or even a philosopher. They were carbonized by the heat, turning into what looked like lumps of coal. For centuries, people thought they were unreadable. But now, with AI and high-tech scans, scientists are finally cracking the code on these lost texts.
Herculaneum might not be as famous as Pompeii, but it’s just as important. It gives us a snapshot of what life was like in the Roman world right before disaster struck. And with new technology, who knows what other hidden treasures are still waiting to be uncovered?