UMVA has learned that a groundbreaking archaeological discovery has been made in Egypt, where a fragment of one of the greatest works of Western literature, Homer's "Iliad," was found placed on top of a mummy.
The extraordinary find was uncovered by researchers while excavating a Roman-era tomb in the Egyptian town of Al Bahnasa, which dates back roughly 1,600 years. The tomb is located in the Al Bahnasa necropolis, once part of ancient Oxyrhynchus, a city of immense historical significance.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the fragment comes from Book II of the "Iliad" and describes the Greek forces preparing for the Trojan War. This ancient epic poem, composed around the 8th century B.C., was surprisingly placed on the abdomen of the mummy as part of the embalming ritual.
The excavation, led by a prominent professor, revealed that the papyrus was deliberately incorporated into the mummification process, a first-of-its-kind discovery in the history of archaeology. Previously found papyri in similar positions contained magical or ritualistic content, but a literary text like the "Iliad" had never been found in this context.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the discovery is exceptional, with experts emphasizing its rarity and significance. The find includes not only the Homer fragment but also Roman-era mummies and decorated wooden sarcophagi inside three limestone burial chambers, although damage from past looting was noted.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that this remarkable archaeological find follows a string of major discoveries in Egypt in recent months, including the uncovering of a massive statue believed to depict a powerful pharaoh and the discovery of eight Egyptian papyrus scrolls alongside a cache of colorful coffins dating back more than 2,600 years.
The team behind the discovery stressed that the placement of a literary masterpiece like the "Iliad" on a mummy is a game-changer, providing new insights into ancient burial practices and the significance of this iconic work of literature.
