A charred papyrus scroll, buried during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, has been identified as part of an ancient philosophical work by Philodemus, an Epicurean philosopher. The breakthrough was made possible through advanced X-ray imaging and virtual unwrapping technology, allowing researchers to reveal the scroll’s title and author. This discovery provides a rare glimpse into the intellectual life of the ancient world and marks a significant milestone in the recovery of ancient texts. The scroll is part of the Bodleian Libraries’ collection, held in Oxford, and was one of many unearthed from the Herculaneum villa.
Unveiling “On Vices” Through X-Ray Imaging
Using cutting-edge 3D X-ray scans, researchers were able to decipher faint ink traces on the papyrus scroll, revealing it as part of a multi-volume work titled On Vices. The text examines various moral failings and ethical questions, including concepts such as disgust. These traces were captured during a scanning session in July 2023 at the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s leading synchrotron research facility.
Dr. Michael McOsker, a papyrologist from University College London, explained that prior to the scan, it was uncertain whether the scroll even contained readable text. This breakthrough offers a significant advancement in understanding ancient works, as previous attempts had failed to extract legible content from such carbonized materials.
The Herculaneum Library’s Hidden Treasures
The scroll was part of a larger collection found in the ruins of a luxurious Roman villa in Herculaneum, which was destroyed and buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius alongside nearby Pompeii. The villa, thought to have belonged to the family of Julius Caesar’s father-in-law, housed numerous scrolls that remained largely unreadable for centuries. Early excavations in the 1700s recovered many scrolls, but most were too fragile and carbonized to be opened or deciphered.
Today, these fragile scrolls are seen as critical links to understanding ancient philosophy, culture, and Roman intellectual life, providing unique insights into works that would otherwise have been lost to history.
Artificial Intelligence and Global Collaboration Lead the Way
This breakthrough builds upon the work of the Vesuvius Challenge, a global initiative launched in 2023 aimed at recovering lost ancient texts using artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced imaging techniques. The project has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the study of ancient manuscripts. In 2023, a student team from the Vesuvius Challenge was awarded a $700,000 grand prize for successfully reading 2,000 Greek letters from another scroll using AI-powered software.
The latest discovery was made by Sean Johnson, Marcel Roth, and Micha Nowak, who, using AI and scanning technology, identified the scroll’s title and author hidden deep within its rolled layers. The scroll’s content could potentially be part of the first volume of the On Vices series, as indicated by a visible Greek letter alpha.
The Path Forward: More Discoveries Await
With this momentum, researchers are moving quickly to scan additional scrolls. In March 2025, 18 more scrolls were scanned at the Diamond Light Source, and 20 more are currently undergoing scanning at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble. This surge in activity has opened new opportunities for scholars and researchers to uncover lost ancient knowledge.
Dr. Brent Seales, co-founder of the Vesuvius Challenge and a computer scientist at the University of Kentucky, highlighted the challenges ahead. He noted that turning large volumes of scan data into readable, segmented, and enhanced text remains a complex task. However, the progress made so far has been unprecedented, with many classicists expressing astonishment at the rapid developments in the field.
Dr. McOsker emphasized that the pace of discovery is accelerating, calling the recent advancements “extraordinary” for the field of classics. He also pointed out that the materials emerging from the Herculaneum library represent entirely new content, further enriching our understanding of the ancient world.
The Impact of the Discovery
This discovery is a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to recover lost ancient texts. The work of Philodemus, a key figure in Epicurean philosophy, offers a window into the intellectual landscape of the first century BC. By analyzing On Vices, scholars can gain insights into ancient ethical frameworks and their relevance to modern philosophical discussions.
For now, researchers continue to explore other scrolls from the Herculaneum collection, with the potential for even more groundbreaking discoveries. The ongoing work promises to shed light on ancient philosophical traditions and give us a better understanding of the thought processes that shaped Roman society.
As technology advances, the possibility of recovering and understanding ancient texts continues to grow. The use of X-ray imaging and AI has revolutionized the study of ancient manuscripts, providing scholars with tools to unlock the secrets of the past. With further advancements, the potential for uncovering new ancient works is limitless, offering a deeper understanding of ancient cultures and their intellectual legacies.