Ancient Egyptian Mummy Found With Homer's Iliad Papyrus Fragment
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Archaeologists have discovered a 1,600-year-old Egyptian mummy buried with a papyrus fragment from Homer's Iliad. The find was made at the Al Bahnasa necropolis, the site of ancient Oxyrhynchus, by a team from the University of Barcelona. The fragment contains a passage from the Catalogue of Ships in Book II of the epic poem.
Facts First
- A 1,600-year-old mummy was found with a papyrus fragment from Homer's Iliad.
- The discovery was made at the Al Bahnasa necropolis (ancient Oxyrhynchus) by the University of Barcelona's Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission (OAM).
- The fragment contains a passage from the Catalogue of Ships in Book II of the Iliad.
- The mummy was inside a Roman-era tomb in a funerary complex with decorated wooden sarcophagi.
- The University of Barcelona will hold lectures in Barcelona through May 11 to share details of the discovery.
What Happened
A team from the University of Barcelona discovered a 1,600-year-old Egyptian mummy buried with a papyrus fragment containing a passage from Homer's Iliad. The discovery was made at the Al Bahnasa necropolis, the site identified with ancient Oxyrhynchus, located approximately 190 kilometers south of Cairo. The papyrus fragment was found on top of the abdomen of a mummy inside Tomb 65 of Sector 22, part of a Roman-era funerary complex with limestone chambers containing mummies and decorated wooden sarcophagi. The Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission (OAM), led by Maite Mascort and Esther Pons, made the find. Papyrologist Leah Mascia and Professor Adiego identified the text as a passage from the Catalogue of Ships in Book II of the Iliad.
Why this Matters to You
This discovery offers a tangible connection to the literary and cultural world of the ancient Mediterranean. It shows how Greek literature, like Homer's Iliad, was valued and preserved far beyond Greece, even in Roman-era Egypt. For anyone interested in history, literature, or archaeology, this find enriches our understanding of cultural exchange and the preservation of classical texts. The upcoming lectures in Barcelona may provide a public opportunity to learn more about this intersection of cultures.
What's Next
The University of Barcelona will conduct a number of lectures in Barcelona through May 11 to share the discovery with the public. Further study of the papyrus fragment and the mummy's tomb complex could yield more insights into the burial practices and cultural connections of the period. The Al Bahnasa necropolis, which was in use for over a thousand years, may continue to be a significant site for archaeological research.