Scientists discovered that lead in ancient ink allows X-ray scans to reveal hidden text in charred scrolls from Mount Vesuvius' 79 C.E. eruption. By burning their own papyrus samples, researchers demonstrated the technique could unlock thousands of unread Greek and Roman texts preserved in Herculaneum without physically damaging the brittle manuscripts.
Scientists used Pliny the Younger's historical account of Mt. Vesuvius's eruption in 79 C.E. to recalibrate argon-argon dating, achieving unprecedented precision of 0.7% and accuracy of 0.4%. This improvement allows geologists and archaeologists to more accurately date volcanic eruptions and other geologic events spanning millions of years.