To read 2,000-year-old Vesuvius scrolls, Berkeley scientists burned student-written papyrus; leaded ink stood out in X-rays
In a remarkable fusion of ancient and modern techniques, scientists have burned contemporary scrolls to unravel the secrets of ancient writings. The innovative use of leaded ink was highlighted through X-ray scans, providing insights into fragile scrolls from Herculaneum. By adapting advanced software, researchers achieved layer separation, paving the way for a more secure recovery of vanished historical texts.
