Egypt

The Evolution of Ancient Burial Practices: Beyond Canopic Jars

For centuries, the image of ancient Egyptian burial has been defined by canopic jars—specialized vessels used to store internal organs. However, recent findings in Oxyrhynchus reveal a fascinating shift in ritual during the Roman era.

Rather than relying on external jars, Egyptian priests began utilizing a different process. They filled the chest or pelvic cavity with materials suitable for preservation, including papyri, and sealed the area with clay. This transition suggests a profound change in how the physical body was prepared for the afterlife.

Literature as a Sacred Companion: The Case of Homer’s Iliad

The discovery of a literary text within a mummy is an exceptional event. Even as Greek papyri have been found in mummification processes before, they typically served a magical purpose. The recent identification of a fragment from Homer’s Iliad marks a significant departure from this trend.

The fragment specifically contains a passage from the second book of the Iliad, known as the “Catalogue of Ships.” In this section, Homer lists the Greek cities that joined the expedition against Troy under King Agamemnon.

This identify challenges existing assumptions about funerary customs. Professor Ignasi-Xavier Adiego of the University of Barcelona notes that while many literary texts have been found in Oxyrhynchus since the 19th century, finding a literary papyrus specifically within a funerary context is a true novelty.

The Future of Interdisciplinary Archaeology

The success of the Oxyrhynchus Archaeological Mission highlights a growing trend toward interdisciplinary collaboration. The identification of the Iliad was not the result of a single expert, but a combined effort involving various specialists.

The campaign, led by the Institute of Ancient Near East Studies of the University of Barcelona (IPOA) under the direction of Ignasi-Xavier Adiego, integrated the skills of:

• Classical Philologists: To analyze and translate the ancient Greek text.
• Papyrologists: Such as Leah Masciavan, who specialize in the study of papyrus fragments.
• Restaurateurs: Including Margalida Munar, who ensure the physical preservation of fragile organic materials.

This model of “integrated archaeology” is likely to grow the standard for future excavations, allowing researchers to understand not just what was found, but the cultural and religious why behind the placement of objects.

Decoding the Mystery: Why the “Catalogue of Ships”?

One of the most enduring questions for researchers is the motivation behind selecting a specific text for mummification. The “Catalogue of Ships” is a detailed list of geography and kinship; it is not a traditional prayer or a magical spell.

The presence of this text in a Roman-era tomb from approximately 1,600 years ago suggests that the deceased—or the priests performing the ritual—attributed a different kind of value to Homer’s epic. Whether it was a symbol of status, a connection to Greek heritage, or a specific religious belief, it opens new doors for understanding the religious life of ancient Egypt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was the papyrus found?
It was discovered inside the abdomen of a mummy in a Roman-era tomb in the city of Oxyrhynchus, located in modern-day Bahnasá, Egypt.

What makes this discovery different from previous finds?
Most papyri found in mummies were magical in nature. This find is unique because it is a literary text—a fragment of Homer’s Iliad.

Who led the archaeological mission?
The mission was led by the Institute of Ancient Near East Studies of the University of Barcelona (IPOA), under the direction of Professor Ignasi-Xavier Adiego.

A Literary Twist in Ancient Burial Rituals

The discovery of a papyrus fragment from Homer’s Iliad inside a 1,600-year-old mummy is rewriting the rulebook on ancient Egyptian funerary practices. While archaeologists have long found Greek texts wrapped within mummies, these were almost exclusively limited to magical spells or ritualistic instructions intended to guide the deceased through the afterlife.

This latest discover, uncovered in a Roman-era tomb in Oxyrhynchus, represents the first time a purely literary Greek text has been incorporated into the embalming process. The fragment specifically contains a passage from Book II of the Iliad, known as the “Catalogue of Ships,” where Homer lists the Greek cities that joined the expedition against Troy under King Agamemnon.

Researchers from the University of Barcelona’s Institute of Ancient Near East Studies, led by Dr. Maite Mascort and Dr. Ester Pons Mellado, discovered the mummy during an excavation campaign between November and December 2025. The papyrus was found placed directly on the abdomen as part of the preservation ritual.

Redefining Greco-Roman Funerary Beliefs

This discovery suggests a significant shift in our understanding of religious life in Greco-Roman Egypt. The inclusion of literature—rather than just ritualistic magic—indicates a complex intersection of Greek culture and Egyptian burial traditions.

During the Roman period, embalming techniques evolved. Instead of utilizing traditional canopic jars to store organs, priests often filled the thoracic or pelvic cavities with preservation materials and papyri, which were then sealed with clay. The presence of the Iliad suggests that literary texts may have held a spiritual or symbolic value previously unrecognized by historians.

Experts are now analyzing why this specific text was chosen. The “Catalogue of Ships” is a detailed list of geography and lineage; its presence in a burial context may offer clues about the identity, status, or aspirations of the deceased.

The Secrets of Oxyrhynchus and Al-Bahnasa

The mummy was found in Oxyrhynchus, known in Pharaonic times as Per-Medjed. Today, the remains of this once-vital city are located in Al-Bahnasa, approximately 190km south of Cairo, near the Bahr Yussef branch of the Nile.

Oxyrhynchus has historically been a goldmine for papyrologists, yielding vast quantities of Greek literary texts since the late 19th century. However, finding these texts within the “embalming context” is a breakthrough that separates general archival finds from intentional funerary offerings.

The excavation also revealed other intriguing artifacts that highlight the social stratification of the era:

• Golden and Copper Tongues: Archaeologists found three tongues made of gold and one of copper placed inside the mouths of the deceased. These were likely intended to help the dead speak before divine beings.
• Gold Leaf: Traces of gold leaf on several mummies suggest a higher social status or specific spiritual beliefs for certain individuals.
• Diverse Coffins: Findings ranged from linen bandages with geometric patterns to painted wooden coffins and stone sarcophagi.

For more on how these discoveries are shaping modern history, you can explore the latest reports from the Independent or the Greek Reporter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you think? Could the presence of literature in tombs suggest that the ancient Greeks and Egyptians viewed storytelling as a bridge to the afterlife? Share your theories in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more archaeological breakthroughs!