Ancient Mummy Discovered with Passage from Homer’s Iliad Hidden Inside

Archaeologists have made a remarkable discovery after finding an ancient mummy containing a fragment of Iliad hidden within its abdomen.

According to reports, the mummy contained a papyrus inserted during the embalming process. However, instead of the typical magical or religious texts usually associated with such practices, researchers identified a passage from one of the most famous works in Western literature.

Further analysis revealed that the text belongs to Book II of the Iliad, specifically the “Catalogue of Ships,” which describes the Greek forces preparing for the legendary Trojan War.

Experts have described the discovery as highly unusual. Ignasi-Xavier Adiego, a classical philologist involved in the study, explained that while papyri have been found in mummies before, they typically contain spells or ritual writings rather than literary works.

He noted that the presence of such a text represents a significant shift in understanding ancient burial traditions and raises new questions about the symbolic role of literature in funerary practices.

The papyrus was recovered during excavations and later analyzed by a team of researchers, who were able to identify the Greek text through detailed study.

The mummy is part of a broader excavation that uncovered several Roman-era burials, including decorated coffins and other rare artifacts. Among these were mummies with gold tongues, believed to have been placed in the mouth to enable the deceased to speak in the afterlife.

The discovery was made at Oxyrhynchus, now known as Al-Bahnasa, located about 190 kilometers south of Cairo. The site has long been recognized as a major center of Greco-Roman culture and has yielded thousands of important papyri since the 19th century.

Researchers say this latest find stands out due to the rare combination of literary content and burial practice. The excavation was carried out by a Spanish archaeological mission led by the University of Barcelona, with findings contributing to ongoing studies of the historic site.