Application of Artificial Intelligence in Deciphering Ancient Scripts and Languages

EasyChair Preprint 14267

Abstract

The study and interpretation of ancient scripts and languages present a formidable challenge due to the scarcity of resources, incomplete data, and the loss of linguistic and cultural contexts over time. Recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have revolutionized this field, offering innovative tools and methodologies to aid linguists, historians, and archaeologists. This paper explores the application of AI in deciphering ancient scripts, highlighting several key areas: optical character recognition (OCR) for digitizing and analyzing ancient texts, natural language processing (NLP) for understanding grammatical structures and meanings, and machine translation for reconstructing lost languages. Case studies, such as the use of neural networks to interpret the undeciphered Indus script and the application of deep learning to enhance the readability of the Dead Sea Scrolls, demonstrate the potential of AI technologies. The integration of AI with traditional philological approaches not only accelerates the decipherment process but also provides deeper insights into the linguistic, cultural, and historical contexts of ancient civilizations. This paper concludes with a discussion on the ethical considerations and future prospects of AI in historical linguistics, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the responsible use of technology in preserving humanity's linguistic heritage.

Keyphrases: Application of Artificial Intelligence, Deciphering Ancient, Scripts and Languages

@booklet{EasyChair:14267,
  author    = {Ralph Shad and Axel Egon and Kaledio Potter},
  title     = {Application of Artificial Intelligence in Deciphering Ancient Scripts and Languages},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 14267},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2024}}