Archaeologists found Homer's Iliad inside a 1,600-year-old Egyptian mummy
Archaeologists in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, discovered a papyrus fragment of Homer's Iliad inside a 1,600-year-old Roman-era mummy. This is the first known instance of a Greek literary text being intentionally incorporated into the mummification process, as previous finds were ritualistic. The fragment is from the "Catalogue of Ships" in Book II.
Why it matters
This discovery provides unique insight into ancient Egyptian burial practices and the cultural significance of Greek literature, suggesting a deeper integration of literary works into daily and ritual life than previously understood.
Archaeologists working at the ancient Egyptian site of Oxyrhynchus have made a remarkable discovery: a papyrus containing a passage from Homer's Iliad was found inside a Roman-era mummy dating back about 1,600 years. Researchers say it is the first known case in archaeological history in which a Greek literary text was intentionally incorporated into the mummification process.
The article presents factual information about an archaeological discovery without any discernible political, social, or economic slant.
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