Homer's Iliad papyrus fragment discovered inside Egyptian mummy at Oxyrhynchus (Egypt). Papyrus fragment from Homer's Iliad book two found inside a Roman-era mummy at Oxyrhynchus (Egypt) Fragment contains text corresponding to the famous catalog of ships listing Greek forces at Troy Mummies at the site had golden tongues placed inside mouths believed to ensure speech in afterlife
A papyrus fragment from Homer's Iliad book two was discovered bound to the abdomen of a Roman-era mummy at the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus in Egypt, containing text from the famous Catalogue of Ships listing Greek forces at Troy. The University of Barcelona's archaeological mission in Oxyrhynchus led the discovery. The finding is exceptionally rare—this is reportedly the first time a Greek literary text has been found in such a context in Egypt. Researchers are using advanced imaging to study and conserve the artifact without unwrapping it.
Key Facts
- Papyrus fragment from Homer's Iliad book two found inside a Roman-era mummy at Oxyrhynchus (Egypt)
- Fragment contains text corresponding to the famous catalog of ships listing Greek forces at Troy
- Mummies at the site had golden tongues placed inside mouths believed to ensure speech in afterlife
- The mummy was wrapped in linen decorated with geometric patterns with painted wooden coffin
- Finding classical Greek text inside an Egyptian mummy is exceptionally rare
- Artifacts are undergoing conservation and study using advanced imaging and papyrological techniques
Related site: Oxyrhynchus (Egypt) — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Latest #Archaeology Discoveries: April 2026 by Inside Archaeology