AI Unlocks Ancient Secrets: Herculaneum Scrolls Deciphered After 2,000 Years

A team of students wins $700,000 for revealing texts buried since the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, offering insights into ancient philosophy.

Three students used AI to decipher parts of the Herculaneum papyri, winning the Vesuvius Challenge and a $700,000 prize.
The uncovered texts, believed to be by Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, discuss music, food, and enjoying life's pleasures.
The competition, backed by tech industry veterans, aims to read all 800 scrolls, with this year's winners uncovering about 5% of one scroll.
The Herculaneum papyri, preserved by volcanic heat, could rewrite the history of key periods of the ancient world.
AI's role in historical discovery is highlighted, with optimism for uncovering more ancient texts and understanding our past.