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Today in History: Oldest European manuscript discovered in Macedonia

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On January 15, 1962, archaeologists uncovered the Derveni papyrus near Thessaloniki, Greece. Dating back to around 340 BC, this ancient manuscript is a philosophical commentary on an Orphic poem and is considered Europe's oldest surviving manuscript. Its discovery significantly impacts the fields of Greek religion, philosophy, and literary criticism.

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Story summary

On January 15, 1962, archaeologists uncovered the Derveni papyrus near Thessaloniki, Greece. Dating back to around 340 BC, this ancient manuscript is a philosophical commentary on an Orphic poem and is considered Europe's oldest surviving manuscript. Its discovery significantly impacts the fields of Greek religion, philosophy, and literary criticism.