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Herculaneum rolls unlocked with photon beams

February 2, 2015 Last update on 06:39 GMT

A scientific discovery could allow read-only survived from the time of ancient Rome documents in the library.

The library was at Herculaneum and Pompeii, destroyed AD by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79.

Hundreds of charred roles were to be found there, but it was impossible to read.

Now scientists have in France have found a way to look at the charred roles, see letters and words, found for the first time in nearly 2000 years.

Hugh Schofield reports.