Scientists have offered a $1 million reward for deciphering the ancient Vesuvius scrolls

An international team of researchers has, for the first time, fully deciphered an ancient Roman papyrus that was charred during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. To accelerate the study of other manuscripts, the researchers have announced a $1 million reward for the complete decipherment of any other scroll.

To read the manuscripts, scientists are using artificial intelligence and modern scanning methods that allow them to “virtually unroll” the charred scrolls without damaging them.

So far, researchers have scanned about 45 scrolls and fragments, while more than 600 artifacts remain undeciphered.

Among the texts already deciphered are 70 columns of the work “On Vices, Book I” by the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, as well as nearly one and a half meters of text from a document dating to the 3rd–2nd centuries BCE, which is considered the oldest scroll in this collection.

According to project participants, the new method allows for the simultaneous preservation of these unique artifacts and access to their content without physical intervention.

Source: Hot News.

In Italy, during the construction of a highway, workers stumbled upon the remains of an ancient sanctuary dating back to the 5th century BCE. The unique discovery was made near the town of Pons, located approximately 72 kilometers from Venice. After the artifacts were discovered, large-scale archaeological excavations began immediately at the site.