A remarkable discovery has brought the ancient Greek philosopher Empedocles back into the spotlight, with researchers identifying thirty previously unpublished verses hidden within a 2,000-year-old ...

An obscure ancient Egyptian text discovered in the 19th century led to discoveries that rewrote the timeline of early medical ...

Historical accounts vary about how the Greek philosopher Plato died: in bed while listening to a young woman playing the flute; at a wedding feast; or peacefully in his sleep. But the few surviving ...

Why do readers love books? For wisdom and wit, the lift of comedy and the noble pain of tragedy; for advice, comfort and entertainment. But content and sentiment apart, they are loved as objects. Most ...

Ancient Egyptian physicians documented treatments on papyrus, revealing a sophisticated medical system. While most eye ...

Experts have deciphered an ancient manuscript, finding that it represents the earliest surviving copy of a gospel about Jesus' childhood. The fragment of papyrus, a paper-like material used during ...

Wasabi vapours are potent enough to kill fungi growing on painted papyrus fragments – all without damaging the fragile artefacts or altering the appearance of their vivid colours. Fungus can damage ...