4 ms·

Carbonized Herculaneum papyrus reveals Plato's burial place

3 points by divbzero 2y ago

ggm 2y ago
I wonder if ground penetrating radar, or an exploratory trench at the site in Athens can now find evidence to go with this? Even after prior digs, You would think modern techniques can be revealing. It would be lovely if something previously unknown in a physical, structural sense was located and contextualised because of the reading of these scrolls.
- eesmith 2y ago
  Athens is in Greece. Herculaneum is in Italy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_issues_of_Pompeii_and_Herculaneum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_issues_of_Pompeii... describes why further excavation is an issue; "excavation has brought with it deterioration" and "An estimated US$335 million is needed to carry out all the [conservative and restorative] works necessary in Pompeii alone." In particular, see the discussion about the unexcavated chamber of the Villa of the Papyri. > The decision caused controversy amongst historians and archaeologists, becoming the centre of debate on whether to focus on conservation or excavation. Classicists argue that only by continuing excavations can more ancient texts reveal more about ancient Roman life. In particular, the unexcavated chamber of the Villa of the Papyri, where over 1,800 carbonized papyrus rolls have been discovered containing works of Epicurean philosophy by Philodemus. However, those in favor of conservation argue that texts are safer underground rather than exposed.
  - ggm 2y ago
    According to Graziano Ranocchia, the lead researcher on the project, the newly revealed details pinpoint Plato’s burial place to a private garden within the Platonic Academy in Athens, near the sacred Museion. This revelation challenges previous speculations regarding the philosopher’s final resting place, offering a more precise location within the Academy grounds. This is where I meant they could dig: Use the improved location evidence from the find at Herculaneum, to locate the spot to do Archeology in Greece, where Plato was buried.
    - eesmith 2y ago
      I apologize for my misreading of your valid comment.

3 points by divbzero 2y ago

ggm 2y ago

I wonder if ground penetrating radar, or an exploratory trench at the site in Athens can now find evidence to go with this? Even after prior digs, You would think modern techniques can be revealing. It would be lovely if something previously unknown in a physical, structural sense was located and contextualised because of the reading of these scrolls.

eesmith 2y ago
Athens is in Greece. Herculaneum is in Italy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_issues_of_Pompeii_and_Herculaneum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_issues_of_Pompeii... describes why further excavation is an issue; "excavation has brought with it deterioration" and "An estimated US$335 million is needed to carry out all the [conservative and restorative] works necessary in Pompeii alone." In particular, see the discussion about the unexcavated chamber of the Villa of the Papyri. > The decision caused controversy amongst historians and archaeologists, becoming the centre of debate on whether to focus on conservation or excavation. Classicists argue that only by continuing excavations can more ancient texts reveal more about ancient Roman life. In particular, the unexcavated chamber of the Villa of the Papyri, where over 1,800 carbonized papyrus rolls have been discovered containing works of Epicurean philosophy by Philodemus. However, those in favor of conservation argue that texts are safer underground rather than exposed.
- ggm 2y ago
  According to Graziano Ranocchia, the lead researcher on the project, the newly revealed details pinpoint Plato’s burial place to a private garden within the Platonic Academy in Athens, near the sacred Museion. This revelation challenges previous speculations regarding the philosopher’s final resting place, offering a more precise location within the Academy grounds. This is where I meant they could dig: Use the improved location evidence from the find at Herculaneum, to locate the spot to do Archeology in Greece, where Plato was buried.
  - eesmith 2y ago
    I apologize for my misreading of your valid comment.