Ancients to Give Up Secrets?

Here's an exciting story, not about the future but about the past--although it does involve the use of modern technology.

"Thousands of previously illegible manuscripts containing work by some of the greats of classical literature are being read for the first time using technology which experts believe will unlock the secrets of the ancient world.

Among treasures already discovered by a team from Oxford University are previously unseen writings by classical giants including Sophocles, Euripides and Hesiod. Invisible under ordinary light, the faded ink comes clearly into view when placed under infra-red light, using techniques developed from satellite imaging."

This story and some related side articles appear in The Independent for Sunday, April 17.

Greece history ancient history manuscripts technology science literature classics Oxford Sophocles Euripedes Hesiod