Creating model scrolls for science

Researchers made their own papyrus scrolls and charred them to test which ancient Herculaneum scrolls contain lead-based ink.

Mount Vesuvius buried a library

The 79 AD eruption destroyed Herculaneum, but hundreds of papyrus scrolls survived, charred into carbon by volcanic gas.

A philosopher's personal collection

Over 600 scrolls were found in one room, believed to be the working library of Epicurean philosopher Philodemus.

Virtual unrolling saves fragile texts

Brent Seales at the University of Kentucky developed software to digitally unroll scrolls too fragile to touch.

Carbon ink creates a problem

The Herculaneum scrolls used carbon-based ink on charred papyrus, making X-ray imaging nearly impossible due to low contrast.

Lead ink offers a solution

In 2016, scientists found lead in two scroll fragments, suggesting some scrolls might be written with lead-based ink.

High schoolers inscribe test scrolls

Students wrote quotes from the Bible, Star Wars, and The Outer Limits on papyrus using inks with varying lead concentrations.

Charring mimics the original disaster

The team carbonized their model scrolls in a high-temperature furnace to replicate the conditions at Herculaneum.

Lead makes letters light up

X-ray scans of the charred models revealed text clearly. "The letters lit up like a Christmas tree," said Douglas Seiler.

“The letters lit up like a Christmas tree.”

The Vesuvius Challenge progresses

The project awarded $700,000 in 2024 for readable text. This year, one scroll was read in full, revealing a treatise on ethics.

A simple scanner speeds the work

Even a handheld X-ray fluorescence scanner can identify which scrolls contain lead and are worth analyzing further.

“With lead in the ink, you would get a huge friggin' signature, so you really need to be looking for scrolls with lead in them.”