Podcast
Questions and Answers
The interiors of the Herculaneum scrolls remained well-preserved due to the lack of ______ during the volcanic eruption.
The interiors of the Herculaneum scrolls remained well-preserved due to the lack of ______ during the volcanic eruption.
oxygen
Brent Seales used X-ray technology to image the scrolls' interior without physically ______ them, a process that previously led to crumbling.
Brent Seales used X-ray technology to image the scrolls' interior without physically ______ them, a process that previously led to crumbling.
opening
The main challenge in reading the scanned scrolls was that the carbon-based ink ______ with the charred papyrus, making it difficult to distinguish the letters.
The main challenge in reading the scanned scrolls was that the carbon-based ink ______ with the charred papyrus, making it difficult to distinguish the letters.
blended
The "Vesuvius Challenge" aimed to ______ the process of deciphering the ancient scrolls by involving students and researchers worldwide.
The "Vesuvius Challenge" aimed to ______ the process of deciphering the ancient scrolls by involving students and researchers worldwide.
Luke Farritor and Youssef Nader shared the "First Letters Prize" after independently decoding the Greek word '______' from the scrolls.
Luke Farritor and Youssef Nader shared the "First Letters Prize" after independently decoding the Greek word '______' from the scrolls.
The decoded passages are attributed to a philosopher named ______, who pondered the relationship between the abundance of goods and the experience of joy.
The decoded passages are attributed to a philosopher named ______, who pondered the relationship between the abundance of goods and the experience of joy.
Seales is now challenging contestants to decipher an ______ scroll by the end of 2024, offering a significant cash prize for complete decipherment.
Seales is now challenging contestants to decipher an ______ scroll by the end of 2024, offering a significant cash prize for complete decipherment.
Finding the scrolls in the mansion's ______ allowed for almost 2,000 years of preservation of the rolled papyrus.
Finding the scrolls in the mansion's ______ allowed for almost 2,000 years of preservation of the rolled papyrus.
One of the reasons that researchers have continued to try and unfold the artifacts is because they believe that the scrolls contain insights about life in ______ times.
One of the reasons that researchers have continued to try and unfold the artifacts is because they believe that the scrolls contain insights about life in ______ times.
The team needed to decode 85 percent of the characters in four passages, each containing 140 characters to win the top prize of $______.
The team needed to decode 85 percent of the characters in four passages, each containing 140 characters to win the top prize of $______.
The cash prize of $100,000 will be given to the first team that can decipher at least 90 percent of all ______ scrolls.
The cash prize of $100,000 will be given to the first team that can decipher at least 90 percent of all ______ scrolls.
In 79 AD, Italy's Mount ______ erupted.
In 79 AD, Italy's Mount ______ erupted.
The scrolls were found nearly 1,700 years later, in ______.
The scrolls were found nearly 1,700 years later, in ______.
Luke Farritor was a 22-year-old ______ science student from the University of Nebraska.
Luke Farritor was a 22-year-old ______ science student from the University of Nebraska.
The winners teamed up with Swiss student ______ Schillinger to compete for the top prize of $700,000.
The winners teamed up with Swiss student ______ Schillinger to compete for the top prize of $700,000.
Flashcards
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Pompeii and Herculaneum
Cities buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Charred Herculaneum Scrolls
Charred Herculaneum Scrolls
Over 1,800 were discovered in a Herculaneum mansion in 1752.
X-ray Technology
X-ray Technology
A non-invasive method using X-rays to view the interior of the scrolls without unwrapping them.
Vesuvius Challenge
Vesuvius Challenge
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Porphyras
Porphyras
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Philodemus
Philodemus
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$100,000 Cash Prize
$100,000 Cash Prize
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Luke Farritor
Luke Farritor
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Youssef Nader
Youssef Nader
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Study Notes
- In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius' eruption buried Pompeii and Herculaneum.
- In 1752, over 1,800 papyrus scrolls were discovered in a Herculaneum mansion's library.
- The scrolls were severely charred on the exterior but well-preserved inside due to lack of oxygen.
- Researchers believe the scrolls contain insights into ancient life.
Attempts to Unfold
- Early attempts to mechanically unroll the scrolls led to crumbling.
- In 2009, Brent Seales developed X-ray tech to image scrolls without opening them.
- The carbon-based ink blended with the papyrus, making them hard to read.
AI Program
- Seales' team created an AI program to identify letters and symbols.
- In March 2023, the "Vesuvius Challenge" invited students to help decode scrolls using the AI.
- 3D X-ray images of two scrolls and three papyrus fragments were released with cash prizes.
Discoveries
- Luke Farritor, decoded the first word, "porphyras," (Greek for purple) and won $40,000.
- Youssef Nader, found the same word and won $10,000.
- Farritor, Nader, and Julian Schillinger teamed up to win the top prize of $700,000.
- The team decoded 85% of the characters in four passages and 15 partial columns, covering about 5% of the scroll.
- The texts were attributed to philosopher Philodemus, pondering the impact of abundant goods on joy.
- Seales is now challenging contestants to decode an entire scroll by the end of 2024.
- A $100,000 prize will be awarded for deciphering at least 90% of all four scrolls.
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