A 1542 papal cipher cracked with simulated annealing
Summary
The article analyzes a 1542 papal cipher (Farnese letter) using simulated annealing and an Italian language model to recover the key and read the cipher digits. It documents the search process, edits to the transcription, cross-checks with manuscript images, and the resulting decipherment with sources. It highlights how AI-assisted cryptanalysis can illuminate historical documents.