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To read 2,000-year-old burned scrolls, scientists burn their own
Scientists recreated and burned papyrus to help decode scrolls charred when volcanic ash buried an ancient library in 79 C.E. The experimental approach could reveal text hidden inside fragile, unreada
By Robert Sanders · 2026-09-17T09:05:15.083Z
Scientists recreated and burned papyrus to help decode scrolls charred when volcanic ash buried an ancient library in 79 C.E. The experimental approach could reveal text hidden inside fragile, unreadable artifacts without opening or damaging them further. The work offers a promising path to recovering lost writings and understanding the world that produced them.
Read the full article here https://news.berkeley.edu/2026/09/16/to read 2000 year old burned scrolls scientists burn their own/