In 79 A.D., the eruption of Mount Vesuvius devastated the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving them as time capsules of ancient Roman life. Among the ruins of Herculaneum, a group of papyri was discovered, offering a unique opportunity to gain insights into the literature and culture of the past. However, the delicate nature of these papyri made it challenging to decipher their contents without causing damage.
Enter the Vesuvius Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative created in 2023 by investors Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Professor Brent Seales. The goal of the challenge was to harness the power of artificial intelligence, particularly through machine learning techniques, to read the ancient Herculanus papyri. With a prize of up to 1 million dollars, the challenge attracted participants from around the world.
During the inaugural year of the challenge, a group of doctoral students, Youssef Nader, Luke Farritor, and Julian Schilliger, emerged as the winners. Their translation efforts uncovered texts that offered glimpses into the pleasures, food, and music of ancient times. These discoveries led to the announcement of the next challenge, set to be awarded at the beginning of the following year.
Mount Vesuvius itself remains an enduring symbol of destruction and historical significance. Located in Naples, Italy, it famously destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum centuries ago. Notably, Vesuvius is one of the few active volcanoes in Europe, with its last eruption occurring in 1944.
The Herculaneum papyri were found in 1750 during the excavation of a buried village. Despite being carbonized and covered in ashes, more than 600 papyrus rolls remained intact, waiting to reveal their secrets. Over the years, historians and papyrologists were eager to decipher these ancient texts, yet their fragility posed a challenge.
Fast forward to 2015 when Professor Brent Seales developed a groundbreaking technology to read papyri without having to physically unravel them. Using X-ray tomography, Seales could map the ink-containing carbon present in the papyri. This breakthrough opened up new possibilities for deciphering the Herculaneum papyri.
Building upon Seales’ work, the Vesuvius Challenge combined the X-ray tomography technique with artificial intelligence to decode the texts. The AI models were trained using machine learning, enabling them to identify and even read blurred letters within the papyri. Remarkably, the Brazilian team led by physicist Elian Rafael Dal Prá contributed significant advancements to this field, utilizing computer vision techniques for improved letter classification.
Currently, approximately 5% of the papyrus has been identified, and papirologists are beginning in-depth analyses of the deciphered texts. These newfound messages provide valuable insights into the culture and philosophy of ancient times, shedding light on the pleasure-centered aspects of daily life. With each new translation, the Vesuvius Challenge brings us closer to uncovering the rich tapestry of the past and understanding the lives of those who lived amidst the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.
FAQ:
1. What is the Vesuvius Challenge?
The Vesuvius Challenge is an initiative created in 2023 to decipher the ancient Herculanus papyri found in the ruins of Herculaneum. It aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence, particularly through machine learning techniques, to read and understand the contents of these delicate papyri.
2. Who initiated the Vesuvius Challenge?
The Vesuvius Challenge was initiated by investors Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Professor Brent Seales.
3. Who won the inaugural year of the Vesuvius Challenge?
A group of doctoral students named Youssef Nader, Luke Farritor, and Julian Schilliger emerged as the winners of the first Vesuvius Challenge.
4. Where are the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum located?
The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum are located in Naples, Italy.
5. When did Mount Vesuvius erupt and devastate Pompeii and Herculaneum?
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred in 79 A.D., resulting in the devastation of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
6. How many intact papyrus rolls were found in Herculaneum?
Over 600 papyrus rolls were found intact in Herculaneum, despite being carbonized and covered in ashes.
7. What technology did Professor Brent Seales develop to read papyri without unraveling them?
Professor Brent Seales developed X-ray tomography, a groundbreaking technology that can map the ink-containing carbon present in papyri. This enables the deciphering of the texts without physically unraveling them.
8. How did the Vesuvius Challenge combine X-ray tomography with artificial intelligence?
The Vesuvius Challenge used AI models trained with machine learning to decode the texts. The X-ray tomography technique was combined with these models to identify and read blurred letters within the papyri.
9. How much of the papyrus has been identified so far?
Currently, approximately 5% of the papyrus has been identified.
10. What insights have the deciphered texts provided so far?
The deciphered texts have provided valuable insights into the culture and philosophy of ancient times, particularly aspects related to pleasures, food, and music.
Definitions of Key Terms:
– Papyri: Ancient manuscripts made of papyrus, a material made from the pith of the papyrus plant, commonly used in ancient Egypt and Rome for writing.
– Artificial Intelligence (AI): The simulation of human intelligence by machines, particularly computer systems that are capable of learning and problem-solving.
– Machine Learning: A subset of AI that allows computer systems to automatically learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.
– X-ray Tomography: A technique that generates three-dimensional images of the interior of an object using X-ray beams from multiple angles.
– Papirologists: Scholars specialized in the study and decipherment of ancient papyri.
Suggested Related Links:
– Pompeii Online
– ArcheoCaorle
– Herculaneum Oxford
The source of the article is from the blog xn--campiahoy-p6a.es