William Noel: Revealing the lost codex of Archimedes

The video discusses the survival of Archimedes' works through medieval copies, focusing on Codex C, a prayer book containing erased texts. Discovered in 1906, Codex C revealed unique Archimedes texts, including 'The Method' and 'The Stomachion.' Restoration involved advanced imaging techniques to recover these texts. The video highlights the importance of open access to data, encouraging institutions to share digital resources freely.

What is the primary reason we know about Archimedes' mathematical works?

• They were preserved in their original form.

• They were copied by medieval scribes.

• They were translated into multiple languages.

• They were discovered in modern times.

What was unique about the texts found by Johan Ludvig Heiberg in Codex C?

• They were religious texts.

• They were written in Latin.

• They were completely new texts by Archimedes.

• They were identical to those in Codices A and B.

What was one of the main challenges in conserving Codex C?

• Preserving the original binding.

• Translating the text into English.

• Dealing with modern forgeries.

• Removing the original ink.

Which imaging technique was used to reveal the iron-based ink in Codex C?

• Ultraviolet imaging

• Visible light imaging

• Infrared imaging

• X-ray fluorescence imaging

What mathematical concept did Archimedes explore in 'The Stomachion'?

• Combinatorics

• Geometry

• Calculus

• Algebra

What was the significance of the speech by Hyperides found in the manuscript?

• It was a defense speech during his trial for treason.

• It was a military strategy document.

• It was a philosophical discourse on democracy.

• It was a political speech against Alexander the Great.

What is the main benefit of releasing data under a Creative Commons license?

• It limits the number of people who can view it.

• It ensures data is kept private and secure.

• It allows for commercial use by anyone.

• It restricts access to only academic institutions.

Why is it important for institutions to release their data without restrictions?

• To enhance public access and cultural significance.

• To increase their revenue.

• To prevent unauthorized use.

• To maintain control over their collections.

What example does the Walters Art Museum set for other institutions?

• Releasing all manuscripts online for public use.

• Charging for access to digital collections.

• Restricting access to only researchers.

• Keeping data private for security reasons.

What is the future of the Web according to the speaker?

• Built by institutions with strict controls.

• Limited to academic research.

• Built by users curating their own collections.

• Focused on commercializing data.