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Still Unread
Concept illustration of a book, envelope and blank slip of paper.
Featured question

Could the key be hiding in a book?

Test a wider reading list against a cipher with a known answer.

Explore this attempt

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Concept illustration of uninscribed clay fragments.

Linear A

A script still waiting to be read.

Concept illustration of an uninscribed wooden tablet on a teal field.

Rongorongo

The signs on the surviving wooden tablets.

Concept illustration of a plain uninscribed terracotta disc and clay fragment.

Phaistos Disc

Signs stamped into clay, with few independent checks.

8 project previews shown.

Watch an attempt.

Follow the search, the checks, and the cost.

Book-key search

Illustrative example
  1. Fix the message and source texts.
  2. Search the candidate passages.
  3. Check against the known answer.

Step 3: Compare the candidate with an answer held back from the search. Readable text alone is not proof.

Illustrative cost$12.40 / $15.00 cap

Example result: the candidate matches the held-back answer. This is a demonstration, not a new solve.

How it works.

  1. Choose a question.

    Read the proposed test and its budget.

  2. Help decide what runs.

    Vote for free or contribute to the compute when funding opens.

  3. Follow the result.

    See the evidence and the actual cost.

Published work.

Funding questions.

What will I be funding?

A specific approved test with a spending limit. Contributions will fund attempts, without a guarantee of a solution. This preview collects no money.

Can I take part for free?

You can vote once per browser each day without an account when voting is available. Voting uses a cookie until midnight Pacific; your choice cannot be moved or withdrawn that day. Clearing cookies or using another browser can bypass this light limit. Reading the public work is free. See the privacy policy.

What if a test finds nothing?

The method, result, and actual cost will stay in the public record, so later work can build on what was learned.

What happens to unused money?

The policy will be published before contributions open.