Ancient Scrolls and Modern Science

In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii and Herculaneum, but preserving scrolls. In 1750, a library was found near Herculaneum. Scientists used X-rays and AI to read the scrolls, despite challenges with carbon-based ink. The Vesuvius Challenge encouraged collaboration to decipher the scrolls, leading to breakthroughs. In 2023, a team won a prize for deciphering Greek text. The project continues, promising more discoveries.

What significant event occurred in 79 CE that affected the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum?

• A massive earthquake

• A volcanic eruption

• A severe drought

• A great flood

What was discovered in 1750 CE near Herculaneum?

• A Roman temple

• An ancient marketplace

• A buried library with scrolls

• A gladiator arena

What technology was used in 2015 to read charred scrolls without touching them?

• Thermal imaging

• Magnetic resonance imaging

• Ultrasound imaging

• X-ray and CT scans

What was the main challenge in reading the Herculaneum scrolls using X-rays?

• The scrolls were written in an unknown language

• The scrolls were too large

• The ink and writing surface were both carbon-based

• The scrolls were too fragile to scan

What was the purpose of the Vesuvius Challenge launched in 2023?

• To reconstruct the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum

• To decipher the Herculaneum scrolls using AI

• To translate the scrolls into modern languages

• To find more scrolls in Herculaneum

How did the Vesuvius Challenge encourage collaboration among participants?

• By offering a single large prize

• By requiring participants to work in teams

• By splitting the contest into smaller goals with smaller prizes

• By limiting the number of participants

What was the first major breakthrough achieved in the Vesuvius Challenge?

• Identifying the Greek word for 'purple'

• Deciphering a whole scroll

• Finding a new scroll

• Translating a scroll into English

What type of text was deciphered from the scrolls in the Vesuvius Challenge?

• Epic poetry

• Ancient medical texts

• Greek philosophical musings

• Roman legal documents

What philosophical movement was the deciphered text associated with?

• Stoicism

• Epicureanism

• Platonism

• Aristotelianism

What is the potential future impact of scanning the scrolls at scale?

• Reconstructing ancient buildings

• Discovering new historical texts

• Finding new archaeological sites

• Developing new scanning technologies