More than 2,000 years after Plato’s death, the renowned figure of classical antiquity and founder of the Academy, often dubbed as the West’s earliest university, continues to grab headlines.
Recently, researchers examined ancient papyrus scrolls retrieved from the library of the Herculaneum villa, which was buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. They discovered the final resting place of the Greek philosopher Plato – the gardens of the Academy of Athens. This breakthrough is part of a larger effort utilizing advanced technology to read, restore, and translate ancient and extinct languages.
Dr. Kilian Fleischer, a papyrus scholar involved in the project, expressed that this new technique will significantly impact our understanding of antiquity and literature. The quest to unveil the mysteries of ancient texts is akin to embarking on a second Renaissance.
The researchers employed hyperspectral imaging to illuminate the fragile scroll fragments with infrared light, revealing previously invisible letters and aiding in deciphering the unreadable sections. The painstaking process involves piecing together faded portions and inferring missing words from related texts.
The project led by Professor Graziano Ranocchia successfully reconstructed a substantial percentage of the text, adding new words based on contextual clues. This groundbreaking work is providing insights into the philosophical musings of Plato and other ancient scholars.
Furthermore, the innovative technique developed by computer scientist Brent Shields allows for the virtual unfolding and reading of carbonized scrolls from Herculaneum. Through machine learning algorithms and CT scans, the obscure contents of these scrolls are being decoded, potentially revealing lost works of literature and historical significance.
The ongoing efforts to decipher these ancient texts represent a fusion of traditional scholarship and cutting-edge technology, opening new avenues for understanding the past and shedding light on the diverse cultures that have shaped human history.
Source: www.theguardian.com
