Rediscovering Antiquity’s Lost Writings with Artificial Intelligence
In a breakthrough melding of classical studies and modern technology, researchers have used artificial intelligence to decipher text from an ancient papyrus fragment. These remnants were uncovered in Herculaneum, not far from the ruins of Pompeii, both victims of the infamous Vesuvius eruption.
A team led by a philosopher from the University of Pisa, Graciano Ranocchia, harnessed the capabilities of AI in interpreting the delicate papyrus scrolls. A portion of their significant find was “The History of the Academy” by the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus of Gadara. His comprehensive account, penned between 110 and 30 BCE, offers rich details about the Platonic Academy founded in the fourth century BCE. Notably, the text provides insights into the life of Plato and the location of his final resting place.
Unveiling the Final Resting Place of a Philosopher
Previously, it was known that Plato passed away in Athens around 348 or 347 BCE and was laid to rest within the confines of his Academy. However, the Academy’s exact location was lost to history, particularly after its destruction by the Roman general Sulla in 86 BCE.
The team applied advanced techniques such as infrared and ultraviolet optical imaging, thermal imaging, and tomography to explore the papyrus further. Their meticulous work revealed approximately 1,000 words, roughly a third of the entire text. These portions clarify that Plato was buried within a dedicated garden at the Academy, near a place honored by the Muses. This new information builds on the prior understanding that his grave was somewhere within the Academy’s territory.
The deciphered material also includes an anecdote from Plato’s life during which he was allegedly sold into slavery sometime between 404 and 399 BCE, an event which scholars previously thought had transpired in 387 BCE.
An Expanding Role for AI in Ancient Textual Recovery
The document also delves into non-burial subjects, featuring a dialog where Plato expresses disdain for the musical and rhythmic talents of a Thracian barbarian musician. The use of AI to read these ancient texts is not a novelty; it has previously aided in revealing texts salvaged from the eruption of Vesuvius, such as those found amid the ruins of Julius Caesar’s father-in-law’s villa.
Important Questions and Answers:
Q: What technology was leveraged to decipher the papyrus?
A: Researchers used artificial intelligence along with state-of-the-art imaging techniques such as infrared and ultraviolet optical imaging, thermal imaging, and tomography to decipher the text from the papyrus fragments.
Q: Why is the discovery of “The History of the Academy” significant?
A: “The History of the Academy,” written by Philodemus of Gadara, provides detailed insights into the Platonic Academy, the life of Plato, and the specific location of Plato’s grave within the precincts of the Academy, which was previously unknown.
Q: What does this discovery tell us about Plato’s life that was previously misdated or unknown?
A: The text suggests that Plato was once sold into slavery between 404 and 399 BCE, an event which scholars had thought occurred in 387 BCE. Furthermore, it details that Plato’s burial took place in a dedicated garden near an area honored by the Muses within the Academy grounds.
Key Challenges and Controversies:
One challenge in dealing with ancient texts such as the Herculaneum papyri is their fragility and the risk of further damage during handling and examination. The use of AI and modern imaging technology helps mitigate this risk by allowing researchers to “read” the texts without physically unraveling them.
Another challenge is the potential for misinterpretation of the AI’s output, as the algorithms are only as good as the data and patterns they have been trained to recognize. Misinterpretation can lead to controversial academic debate, particularly in cases where the findings significantly alter the understanding of historical events or figures.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
– The use of AI for deciphering ancient texts provides a non-invasive method to read fragile documents without causing physical damage to them.
– AI can process and analyze data at a much faster rate than humans, increasing the efficiency of textual recovery and analysis.
– This technology can enhance the readability of texts that are too damaged or faint for the human eye to decipher.
Disadvantages:
– AI interpretations require careful examination by experts to avoid misreadings and ensure historical accuracy.
– There may be a reliance on the technology without adequate checks and balances, which could perpetuate errors.
– The inherent biases in AI algorithms need to be addressed to ensure the technology does not lead to skewed or unreliable interpretations.
For information on how AI has been used in archaeological discoveries, you can visit reliable websites such as those of archaeological institutes or technology research centers. Below is a link to the main domain of the Archaeology Magazine which often covers such topics:
Archaeology Magazine
Also, the website of a leading AI research organization could have related information:
DeepMind
Please note that these URLs have been verified as of my knowledge cutoff date and could have changed post that date.