Researchers are working to refine the images further, hoping to uncover the title of the work preserved in the scroll's innermost layers.

Notably, a 23-year-old researcher associated with Elon Musk's team gained attention for translating the first word from an unopened scroll, winning a substantial cash prize.

These scrolls, preserved in charred blocks due to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, could significantly enhance understanding of ancient thought if they can be fully read.

So far, only a few words have been deciphered, including the ancient Greek term for 'disgust,' which appears twice in the text.

Dr. Brent Seales, co-founder of the Vesuvius Challenge, expressed excitement over the imaging success, noting that this scroll contains more recoverable text than any previously scanned Herculaneum scroll.

The University of Kentucky developed the imaging technique, which combines X-ray tomography and computer vision to aid in the digital unwrapping of these ancient documents.

On February 5, 2025, researchers at Oxford University's Bodleian Library announced a significant breakthrough by generating the first image of the interior of a scroll from Herculaneum, known as PHerc. 172.

Peter Toth, curator at the Bodleian, emphasized the need for better imaging technology that could potentially be used locally to preserve the fragile scrolls without transporting them.

The Vesuvius Challenge, launched in 2023, invites engineers to develop AI methods to read the scrolls, offering cash prizes for successful contributions.

This scroll was scanned using advanced X-ray tomography techniques, which allowed scientists to create a 3D reconstruction of its layers and virtually unroll it for analysis.

The imaging process revealed multiple columns of text, indicating that the scroll is likely a philosophical work related to Greek Epicurean philosophy.

Richard Ovenden, director of the University Libraries, highlighted the collaboration between librarians, computer scientists, and scholars as pivotal in this groundbreaking research effort.