Scientists were able to read record a large amount of text on ancient scroll

Imaging helped to read two ancient Roman scroll

For the first time about the successful use of phase-contrast x-ray imaging to read ancient documents has become known in 2015. The method involves the processing of one scroll from Herculaneum high energy x-rays, analysis of the interference and the visualization of the internal microstructure of the sample.

Because, unlike previous attempts, the method allowed to achieve high spatial resolution, the authors transcribed on the surface of the papyri a series of syllables and the Greek alphabet. The Villa of the papyri was discovered on the shore of the Gulf of Naples in 1752. In 79 ad together with Pompeii, the district suffered from the eruption of Vesuvius.

Villa in Herculaneum is the only surviving ancient library. During a disaster are located here scrolls were destroyed, and the rest — under the influence of a temperature of 320 degrees Celsius is compressed into a homogeneous matrix. The fragility of the charred scrolls were led to their loss, in spite of careful treatment, and continued after the beginning of the excavation.

However, recognition of ancient texts is a historical and cultural value, so scientists are looking for ways reliable and safe reading of these artifacts. Previously least affected papyri have been partially decrypted with the slow turning of the layers.

In a new article, experts from Italy presented the results of examining two of the scrolls from Herculaneum. To simplify the procedure and improve its accuracy, the authors developed a computer algorithm that converts the data of the synchrotron in the three-dimensional and then two-dimensional “detailed” model.

The ability of such processing have provided the technology of manufacture of papyrus. It provided for the perpendicular placement of thin strips of Cyperus papyrus plants overlap, their subsequent compression, smoothing and whitening. Adjusted perpendicular to the fiber structure the program can adjust an image in twisted into tube sheets.

In the first phase, the researchers tested the technology on modern papyrus that exposed, similar to the eruption of the volcano, including oxygen-free heating. The test was considered a success, and the method repeated on samples stored in the National library of Naples.

As a result, the team read a text size of up to 14 lines, including whole words. For example, one part of the restored image, they are identified as the Greek ἀκοήν — “to hear” or “listen”. In the work of 2015, scientists have decoded only a subset of the sequence of letters: some of them, presumably, could be words ππτοιε (“PAL”) and ειποι (“said”).

In addition to the restoration of the texts, scientists are actively engaged in the reconstruction of the appearance of new civilizations. Recently, researchers have reconstructed the face of a contemporary of Pharaoh Thutmose III and the victims of Vesuvius.

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