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Papyrus scroll burnt to a crisp during Vesuvius eruption deciphered with help of AI
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
By Lianne Kolirin, CNN
(CNN) — A papyrus scroll that was burned and carbonized when Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2,000 years ago has been virtually unrolled and partially deciphered with the help of artificial intelligence.
The scroll — named PHerc. 1667 — is one of hundreds from the ancient...
Key takeaway Preserved under mud and ash in a villa believed to have once been owned by the father-in-law of Julius Caesar, the scrolls were discovered by an Italian farmer in the 18th century.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The breakthrough in deciphering the ancient papyrus scroll has significant implications for the local academic community in El Paso . As a city with a rich cultural heritage, El Paso is home to several institutions of higher learning that value the study of classical antiquity. The successful use of artificial intelligence to virtually unroll and decode the scroll could inspire new collaborations between local universities and tech industries, potentially leading to innovative applications of AI in fields such as history, archaeology, and linguistics. Furthermore, the story of the Herculaneum scrolls and the Vesuvius Challenge could spark interest in the humanities among El Paso students, encouraging them to pursue careers in these fields and contributing to the city's cultural and intellectual growth. As the project continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see if any local researchers or institutions become involved in the Vesuvius Challenge, bringing El Paso into the global conversation about ancient texts and cutting-edge technology.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 5 min
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What is this story about? By Lianne Kolirin, CNN
(CNN) — A papyrus scroll that was burned and carbonized when Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2,000 years ago has been virtually unrolled and partially deciphered with the help of artificial intelligence.
The scroll — named PHerc. 1667 — is one of hundreds from the ancient...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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