These rolls were carbonized and then preserved by volcanic material from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. They formed part of a substantial library of around 2,000 scrolls, many concerning Epicurean philosophy, which had belonged to a well-to-do resident of Herculaneum. The ‘Villa of the Papyri’ was discovered by excavators in 1752, and the Prince of Wales (the future George IV) was among those who later encouraged the unrolling and transcription of some of the rolls. This sponsorship was rewarded with the gift of eighteen charred and unopened rolls, four of which the Prince gave to Oxford University. One was subsequently unrolled in Naples in 1883, and digital imaging techniques are now serving to render it partially readable. These three remain as found and await the technology which will enable their unrolling and deciphering.
My third attempt the others were lost incomplete on kindle. Yes a challenge and enlightenment for
future generations
Posted by basil hunt
On 31/03/2013
Knowing that these books may give us so much information on the lives of the people from that time.
Posted by Romana
On 07/10/2012
Something that offers A documentation of history that is previously unknown is always a treasure.
What makes these precious is of course their age, preservation and method of preservation. Mt Vesuvious- amazing.
Posted by Lori
On 18/01/2012
Three centuries hence, our descendants may be grateful that we invested in the preservation of these charred documents even knowing that their contents might not revealed within our lifetimes, just as Thomas Bodley encouraged the collection of books in languages which no one in Oxford could yet read.
Posted by OMM
On 31/10/2011
it is just incredably tear jerking
Posted by izzy f
On 17/10/2011
The world's oldest collection of books and the only ancient book collection that we have: one of the greatest treasures to be protected.
Posted by simonsiren
On 02/10/2011
The sheer age and the fact that they have survived the ravages for time – for me that makes it one of the top objects.
Posted by Liz
On 21/09/2011
How incredible to think these have 'survived' the volcanic eruption 2000 years ago, and may still yield their secrets.
Comments
What makes this a treasure?
My third attempt the others were lost incomplete on kindle. Yes a challenge and enlightenment for
future generations
Posted by basil hunt
On 31/03/2013
Knowing that these books may give us so much information on the lives of the people from that time.
Posted by Romana
On 07/10/2012
Something that offers A documentation of history that is previously unknown is always a treasure.
What makes these precious is of course their age, preservation and method of preservation. Mt Vesuvious- amazing.
Posted by Lori
On 18/01/2012
Three centuries hence, our descendants may be grateful that we invested in the preservation of these charred documents even knowing that their contents might not revealed within our lifetimes, just as Thomas Bodley encouraged the collection of books in languages which no one in Oxford could yet read.
Posted by OMM
On 31/10/2011
it is just incredably tear jerking
Posted by izzy f
On 17/10/2011
The world's oldest collection of books and the only ancient book collection that we have: one of the greatest treasures to be protected.
Posted by simonsiren
On 02/10/2011
The sheer age and the fact that they have survived the ravages for time – for me that makes it one of the top objects.
Posted by Liz
On 21/09/2011
How incredible to think these have 'survived' the volcanic eruption 2000 years ago, and may still yield their secrets.
Posted by Martin
On 15/09/2011