The tomograph will decipher ancient scrolls. Free Technical Library News

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Tomograph will decipher ancient scrolls

31.01.2015

Using a phase-contrast X-ray tomograph, the researchers were able to notice that soot particles in ink and charred paper refract X-rays differently.

Scientists from the Institute of Microelectronics and Microsystems in Naples (Italy) for the first time were able to make out individual letters on the scrolls found in the library of the ancient city of Herculaneum, which died during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It is not yet possible to read the words, but physicists assure that it is only a matter of time.

The analysis showed that chemically ink and papyrus are almost indistinguishable, but the tomograph makes it possible to distinguish individual letters due to the thickness of the ink - they protrude above the surface of the scroll by about one tenth of a millimeter. The researchers were able to examine the letters even without unfolding the scrolls - the soot-based ink did not absorb into the papyrus, but dried on its surface, which makes it possible to shine through the scrolls and read their contents using a tomograph. Only papyrus fibers complicate reading - they can be easily confused with the straight strokes that make up the letters.

Scientists examined six scrolls from the Herculaneum library, which belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte. The probable author of the text was the ancient Greek philosopher Philodem of Gadara, a representative of the Epicurean school, who spent part of his life in Herculaneum.

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