Can modern tools correct past mistakes?
The papyrus P.Leod. [Papyri Leodienses, Liège papyrus] inv. 2 was purchased in Cairo in 1954 and restored in 2004 before being edited in 2018. It contains 23 lines of text in Greek and a few remnants of a line on the verso. But this text is very difficult to decipher, partly because of the cursive script (the characters are linked together) and the abbreviations, but also and above all because of the document's state of preservation.
Papyri were often recycled in the stuccoed and painted cartonnages that covered the mummies. Our P.Leod. inv.2 papyrus clearly comes from one of these cartonnages, as evidenced by traces of antique glue and abrasions.
Despite its gaps and poor condition, the researchers were able to propose a partial reading of it immediately after purchase. They were even able to suggest a date, as the document contains remnants of an imperial title: Tiberiou , which immediately evokes the second Roman emperor, Tiberius, who reigned from 14 to 37 CE.
At the time of its publication in 2018, the papyrus was re-examined, this time with a sophisticated electron microscope. And - surprise! - next to Tiberiou, payrologists were able to read the previously invisible word Klạ̣ụḍ[.
This discovery invalidates the early dating, as the only emperor whose title begins with Tiberiou Klaudiou is Emperor Claudius(Tiberiou Klaudiou Kaisaros Sebastou Germanikou Autokratoros: Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus Emperor), who reigned from 41 to 54 CE.
The evolution of technology has enabled us to correct past assumptions. This shows once again how important it is to preserve the originals and not just rely on digital versions, however accurate they may be. Who knows what the future will bring?
