Experts stunned after uncovering Homer's 'Iliad' on Egyptian mummy in unprecedented find
Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery by uncovering a fragment of Homer's 'Iliad' placed atop a Roman-era mummy in Egypt. This find, announced by the University of Barcelona, is the first Greek literary text found in a funerary context. The fragment was discovered in the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, dating back approximately 1,600 years.
- ▪The fragment of the 'Iliad' was found during excavations at a Roman-era tomb in Al Bahnasa, Egypt.
- ▪This discovery is significant as it is the first Greek literary text found in a funerary context.
- ▪The 'Iliad' is believed to have been composed around the 8th century B.C., over a millennium before the burial of the mummy.
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Discovery Experts stunned after uncovering Homer's 'Iliad' on Egyptian mummy in unprecedented find Fragment from ancient Oxyrhynchus is first Greek literary text ever found in funerary context By Andrea Margolis Fox News Published May 22, 2026 8:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Archaeologists solve 1,800-year-old Roman fresco puzzle in London London researchers have reconstructed a large Roman wall plaster collection, revealing 1,800-year-old frescoes that decorated a high-status building. (Source: MOLA) NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Archaeologists were stunned after recently discovering one of the greatest works of Western literature placed on top of a mummy in Egypt.
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