By Jonathan Fildes – Science and technology reporter, BBC News
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.
In the treatises, the 3rd Century mathematician develops numerical descriptions of the real world.
“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.
“It just doesn’t get any better than rereading the mind of one of the greatest figures of Western civilisation.”
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