{"id":19238,"date":"2023-10-24T09:46:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-24T13:46:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/?p=19238"},"modified":"2023-10-24T09:46:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-24T13:46:12","slug":"ai-technology-helps-reveal-the-text-of-an-ancient-burned-scroll","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/news\/2023\/10\/ai-technology-helps-reveal-the-text-of-an-ancient-burned-scroll","title":{"rendered":"AI Technology Helps Reveal the Text of An Ancient Burned Scroll"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Shaiith\/Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

University of Kentucky computer scientists recently used AI technology to read an ancient scroll burned when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The scrolls were so fragile that scientists couldn\u2019t even attempt to unroll them, or they would be destroyed.<\/p>\n

Instead, as part of a Vesuvius Challenge competition, scientists released thousands of 3D X-ray images of the scrolls and papyrus. According to the BBC<\/a>, computer scientist Luke Farritor was awarded the $40,000 prize for finding the first letters, eventually revealing the word \u201cpurple.\u201d The scrolls were part of a significant discovery in 1752 of about 800 carbonized scrolls buried under ash and pumice.<\/p>\n

University of Kentucky computer scientist and Vesuvius Challenge co-founder Brent Seales said, \u201cThis word was our first dive into an unopened ancient book, evocative of royalty, wealth, and even mockery. Pliny the Elder explores \u2018purple\u2019 in his \u2018natural history\u2019 as a production process for Tyrian purple from shellfish. The Gospel of Mark describes how Jesus was mocked as He was clothed in purple robes before the crucifixion.\u201d<\/p>\n