Archaeologists stunned after finding Homer’s ‘Iliad’ on Egyptian mummy in unprecedented discovery
Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery by finding a fragment of Homer's 'Iliad' on an Egyptian mummy. This unique find occurred during excavations at a Roman-era tomb in Al Bahnasa, Egypt, and is believed to be the first instance of a Greek literary text being incorporated into the mummification process. The fragment, which dates back approximately 1,600 years, adds significant value to the understanding of cultural practices in ancient Egypt.
- ▪The fragment of the 'Iliad' was found on the abdomen of a mummy as part of the embalming ritual.
- ▪This discovery is unprecedented, as it is the first time a Greek literary text has been found in a funerary context.
- ▪The tomb and mummy date back roughly 1,600 years, while the 'Iliad' was composed around the 8th century B.C.
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Archaeology Archaeologists stunned after finding Homer’s ‘Iliad’ on Egyptian mummy in unprecedented discovery By Andrea Margolis, Fox News Published May 22, 2026, 10:40 a.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The New York Post on Google Originally Published by: Teen stumbles on mysterious coin from legendary city Archaeologists uncover massive ancient site during rail project Woman stunned to unearth 3-carat diamond at state park after heartbreaking year Archaeologists were stunned after recently discovering one of the greatest works of Western literature placed on top of a mummy in Egypt. The one-of-a-kind discovery was announced by the University of Barcelona in an April 20 news release.
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