Non-invasive X-ray and AI reveal Buddhist prayers inside ancient Mongolian scrolls

Summary

Researchers at Germany's Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin used 3D X-ray tomography and AI to non-invasively examine antique Buddhist scrolls from Mongolian nomadic shrines without physically unrolling them. The tightly wrapped scrolls, which had been in museum storage for decades, contained Buddhist prayers and were part of traditional Mongolian nomadic religious practices. This innovative approach allowed scientists to preserve the delicate artifacts while revealing their hidden contents.