The 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius devastated the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, burying them under volcanic ash. While Pompeii suffered widespread destruction, Herculaneum uniquely preserved hundreds of handwritten papyrus scrolls due to the intense heat carbonizing them.

Preserving History Through Carbonization

These scrolls are believed to contain lost works by pre-Socratic philosophers and remained sealed for centuries. Previous physical attempts to unroll the fragile scrolls resulted in their destruction, leaving their contents a mystery.

AI Revolutionizes Scroll Analysis

Advancements in artificial intelligence and sophisticated imaging techniques are now revolutionizing the study of these ancient texts. Scholars can virtually 'look inside' the scrolls without physically unraveling them, detecting ink traces and reconstructing passages hidden for nearly two millennia.

UVU Hosts International Conference

On Tuesday, Utah Valley University (UVU) hosted a display of four original carbonized papyri as part of the Herculaneum Papyri and AI Conference. The four-day event brought together leading international scholars to explore the use of cutting-edge technologies in deciphering these historically significant texts.

A Collaborative Effort

The conference showcased the collaborative effort of disciplines including philosophy, artificial intelligence, and classical studies. Michael Shaw, a UVU philosophy professor and classical studies coordinator, stated the project has the potential to transform the 'little charcoal scrolls' into 'full books of original writing that's been lost for like, 2,500 years.'

From Study Abroad to Groundbreaking Research

UVU’s involvement began in 2023 with a study abroad program to Pompeii and Herculaneum. This trip sparked the passion that led to hosting the conference.

Student Initiative

Orpheus Isom, a UVU senior, described the process of bringing the conference to UVU as “a storm of confidence and passion.” The initial enthusiasm of students on the study abroad program led to valuable connections and a strong reputation with excavation site workers. The university’s AI institute also provided crucial support.

The event underscores the importance of the intersection between technology and humanities, demonstrating how technology can revitalize historical research and provide unprecedented access to our past.