On February 4, 2025, Asbury University welcomed Dr. W. Brent Seales, the Stanley and Karen Pigman Heritage Science Chair and Professor of Computer Science at the University of Kentucky, for an engaging lecture and Q&A session. Sponsored by the Asbury University Honors Program, the event focused on Dr. Seales’ groundbreaking work in digitally restoring ancient manuscripts, specifically the Herculaneum scrolls, which were severely damaged during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Seales has spent over two decades pioneering the field of virtual unwrapping, a revolutionary technique that enables scholars to read texts from manuscripts that are too fragile to be physically opened. By using advanced machine learning, data science, and sophisticated imaging technologies such as X-ray and MRI scanning, Dr. Seales and his team have successfully detected ink traces on the charred papyrus. His innovative work has led to the reconstruction of approximately five percent of one of the scrolls—a breakthrough that was once considered unattainable.
During his presentation, Seales walked the audience through the process of digitally unraveling these ancient texts. He explained how his team developed software capable of identifying and mapping ink patterns on the scrolls, enabling scholars to read words hidden for nearly two millennia. This work holds profound implications for historical and theological scholarship, as the Herculaneum library is believed to contain texts that could provide new insights into the ancient world, potentially including early Christian writings and material related to Paul’s missionary journeys.
Seales is also the founder of the Vesuvius Challenge, an international competition aimed at furthering the goal of virtually unwrapping the remaining Herculaneum scrolls. His lecture at Asbury University underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, as his work brings together experts in computer science, archaeology, and classical studies to unlock lost knowledge from antiquity.
The audience, composed of students, faculty, and members of the community, participated in a lively Q&A session following the talk. Many attendees expressed excitement about the potential discoveries that Seales’ technology could reveal. His discussion not only highlighted the cutting-edge advancements in digital restoration but also inspired young scholars to explore the intersection of technology and the humanities.
As the event concluded, Seales emphasized the significance of perseverance in scientific inquiry. His work serves as a testament to the power of innovation, demonstrating how modern technology can bridge the gap between the past and the present. Through continued research and collaboration, the dream of fully restoring the Herculaneum scrolls is closer than ever to becoming a reality.