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Barcelona Team Finds 1,600-Year-Old Egyptian Mummy With Iliad Fragment

5/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

On April 20, University of Barcelona archaeologists uncovered a 1,600-year-old mummy with a Homer's *Iliad* fragment in Al Bahnasa, Egypt.
The papyrus, placed on the abdomen by Professor Núria Castellano, was identified by Leah Mascia as Book II of the *Iliad*.
Professor Ignasi-Xavier Adiego said the find is unprecedented because earlier Oxyrhynchus papyri were magical, noting that the excavation, ongoing since 1992, has also uncovered other mummies and a statue linked to Exodus.

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Story summary

On April 20, University of Barcelona archaeologists uncovered a 1,600-year-old mummy with a Homer's *Iliad* fragment in Al Bahnasa, Egypt.
The papyrus, placed on the abdomen by Professor Núria Castellano, was identified by Leah Mascia as Book II of the *Iliad*.
Professor Ignasi-Xavier Adiego said the find is unprecedented because earlier Oxyrhynchus papyri were magical, noting that the excavation, ongoing since 1992, has also uncovered other mummies and a statue linked to Exodus.