Shining a light on the past. Learn: ancient Rome, scrolls, disintegrate, breakthrough, intense
Transcript
They might not look like much, but these are in fact texts from ancient Rome.
Since their discovery 250 years ago, no one has been able to read the so-called Herculaneum scrolls. Open them, and they disintegrate.
Now, scientists in France have made a breakthrough. By firing intense beams of light at the documents, they can see what is written inside.
Experts are overjoyed.
Vocabulary
ancient Rome
a society thousands of years ago in the area of Rome, now the capital of Italy
scrolls
long pieces of paper that were used for writing on and could be rolled up
disintegrate
to break apart into many small pieces
breakthrough
an important discovery after a long period of work
intense
very strong or powerful