Archaeologists excavating the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus, near modern-day Al Bahnasa, have uncovered a 1,600-year-old mummy bearing a fragment of The Iliad on its abdomen, marking a first-of-its-kind discovery. While papyri containing ritualistic formulas are common in the area, this is the first instance of a literary text being used in a funerary ritual. The fragmented papyrus, identified as the “Catalogue of Ships” from Book II of the Greek epic, was found in a limestone tomb alongside other unique finds, including mummies with gold and copper foil on their tongues. The discovery raises fascinating questions about the intersection of Greek literary culture and Egyptian burial practices during the Roman period. It has led to debates over whether the classic text indicates status, served a protective function, or acted as a “signature” of the embalmer.
CNN
