Researchers from the University of Würzburg and the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz have developed an AI tool called 'Palaeographicum' to accelerate the translation and reconstruction of ancient Hittite cuneiform tablets. The tool utilizes digitised images to analyze handwriting styles, allowing scholars to reassemble fragmented texts that were previously difficult to study due to their complex, three-dimensional nature.
By automating tasks that previously took days to complete in mere minutes, the technology is transforming the field of Hittitology. The team intends to further refine the AI to identify individual scribes, which would provide deeper insights into ancient social history and writing culture in the Near East.