Scientists at Carnegie Mellon university are making high resolution 3D scans of tombstones to reveal the carved patterns in the stone.
A computer matches the patterns to a database of signature carvings which reveals the words.
The technique could one day also be used by doctors to examine a patient's tongue for signs of illness.
Definitely worthwhile. Whenever I visit our local cemetery, there are man stones from just the late 19th century that are almost illegible.