A series of hidden texts written by the ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes are being revealed by US scientists. Until now, the pages have remained obscured by paintings and texts laid down on top of the original writings. Using a non-destructive technique known as X-ray fluorescence, the researchers are able to peer through these later additions to read the underlying text. The goatskin parchment records key details of Archimedes’ work, considered the foundation of modern mathematics. The writings include the only Greek version of On Floating Bodies known to exist, and the only surviving ancient copies of The Method of Mechanical Theorems and the Stomachion. “Archimedes was like no one before him,” says Will Noel, curator of manuscripts and rare books at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland and director of the imaging project.

ARCHIMEDES TEXTS IN THE PALIMPSEST
Equilibrium of Planes
Spiral Lines
The Measurement of the Circle
Sphere and Cylinder
On Floating Bodies
The Method of Mechanical Theorems
Stomachion

The glowing words are displayed on a computer screen, giving the researchers the first glimpse of the text in nearly 800 years. “It’s like receiving a fax from the 3rd Century BC,” said Mr Noel. “It’s the most sensational feeling.” Each page takes 12 hours to reconstruct as the highly focused beam of X-rays, the width of a human hair, sweeps across the page. The team have until the 7 August this year to scrutinise the palimpsest, before the synchrotron is switched off for maintenance. During that time they hope to scan between 12 and 14 pages, paying particular attention to the areas covered with the forged paintings. The public can watch the researchers as they reveal the glowing ancient text during a live webcast at 23:00 GMT on 4 August.

via bbc

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