Researchers have successfully read a complete, carbonized scroll from Herculano for the first time using artificial intelligence and high-resolution CT scanning, according to an international coalition of scientists. This breakthrough, announced June 25, 2026, allows scholars to view the interior of scrolls buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. without risking physical damage to the fragile papyri.
How does virtual unfolding work?
Virtual unfolding uses computed tomography (CT) scans to detect microscopic patterns of carbon-based ink that are otherwise invisible to the human eye, according to computer scientist Brent Seales. The process involves training machine learning models to map the physical contours of the rolled papyrus and virtually “flatten” the layers. This technique solves a long-standing dilemma in archaeology: researchers no longer have to choose between preserving an artifact and reading its contents, says Federica Nicolardi.
The “Villa of the Papyri” in Herculano contains an estimated 600 additional scrolls that remain unopened. The Vesuvius Challenge currently offers $1 million in prizes to accelerate the reading of these remaining volumes.
What content was found in the Herculano scroll?
The newly deciphered text contains 70 columns from a work titled On Vices, Book 1, attributed to the philosopher Philodemus, as reported by Folha de S. Paulo. Philodemus was an Epicurean thinker who lived at the villa when the eruption occurred. The text provides fresh insights into ancient ethics and human behavior.
How does this compare to previous archaeological methods?
Historically, archaeologists relied on physical unrolling, which frequently destroyed the brittle, carbonized papyrus. In contrast, the current digital approach—championed by the Vesuvius Challenge and contributors like Luke Farritor, Youssef Nader, and Julian Schilliger—preserves the original object entirely. While physical unrolling might have revealed sections of text, it often resulted in irreparable fragmentation, whereas virtual reconstruction allows for repeated, non-destructive analysis of the same data.
Pro Tip: The future of digital archaeology
As algorithms improve, the speed of deciphering these scrolls is expected to increase. According to Nat Friedman, the goal is to read the entire library found at the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were these scrolls hard to read?
The scrolls were carbonized by the intense heat of the Vesuvius eruption. The resulting material is so fragile that any attempt to unroll them physically causes the paper to crumble, rendering the ink unreadable.
Who funded the research?
The effort was largely driven by the Vesuvius Challenge, which incentivized the development of digital tools.
Can this technology be used on other artifacts?
Yes. The machine learning models developed for these scrolls could theoretically be applied to other damaged historical documents, such as fire-damaged manuscripts or other fragile archaeological finds.
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