Can Technology Unravel the Secrets Sealed by Mt. Vesuvius 2,000 Years Ago?
Scholars believe the damaged scrolls of Herculaneum could contain lost works of Greek philosophy, Roman poetry, or early Christian writings.
2018 Mar 29
Like its renowned neighbor Pompeii, the ancient coastal town of Herculaneum was buried by the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Yet the lesser-known site has yielded what could be the area's greatest treasure: an ancient library of 1,800 papyrus scrolls, seared shut by the volcanic heat. Scholars believe the damaged scrolls could contain lost works of Greek philosophy, Roman poetry, or the first references to Jesus. Bill Whitaker goes to Italy to report on scientists' efforts to read the scrolls noninvasively, using modern imaging technology. The story will be broadcast Sunday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m., ET/PT on CBS.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/can-technology-unravel-the-secrets-sealed-by-mt-vesuvius-2000-years-ago-pompeii/
