Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the study of ancient manuscripts, unlocking texts that have remained unreadable for centuries. From deciphering charred Roman scrolls to analyzing damaged cuneiform tablets, AI-driven tools unveil new information about the ancient world. This advancement enables researchers to examine vast archives, identify previously unknown writings, and reconstruct missing text with unprecedented accuracy. Scholars now have access to more data than ever before, opening up opportunities to address historical questions that were once unattainable.
Breakthrough in Herculaneum Scroll Deciphering As reported by Nature.com, AI has successfully revealed significant portions of the Greek text. Computer scientist Brent Seales from the University of Kentucky and participants in the Vesuvius Challenge competition utilized advanced neural networks to detect ink patterns on fragile scrolls. The February 2024 winning entry employed a TimeSformer model, revealing text attributed to an ancient Greek philosophical work. Federica Nicolardi, a papyrologist at the University of Naples, described the discovery as a “historic moment for the field.”
Applications in Other Historical Archives AI tools are also applied to various historical collections. Researchers in South Korea use transformer-based networks to translate extensive records from the Joseon dynasty, written in Hanja. This system has expedited translations of state records, offering insights into the political and cultural trends of the era. Similarly, initiatives like the Fragmentarium project at Ludwig-Maximilians University use neural networks to identify overlapping cuneiform fragments, uncovering lines from the Epic of Gilgamesh and a previously unknown hymn to Babylon.
Challenges and Future Prospects As AI facilitates the rapid decoding of large text corpora, concerns about accuracy and accessibility persist. Experts underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and open-source data to ensure transparency and reproducibility. As noted by Nature.com, Brent Seales emphasizes that AI’s success in these applications highlights its role as a complement to human expertise, offering data for specialists to interpret and analyze. As AI technology advances, researchers foresee significant breakthroughs in decoding lost languages and exploring underground libraries, potentially transforming the understanding of ancient civilizations.
Source: Gadgets360