For archaeologists accustomed to discoveries, this finding was a real shock. The fact is that Greek papyri in Egyptian tombs from the Roman era had been found before, but until now they were exclusively magical spells or ritual texts intended to protect the soul in the afterlife. Finding 'literature' there — in this case, the famous 'Catalogue of Ships' from the second song of the Homeric epic — has happened for the first time in history.
Researchers believe that this was not just a conscious choice, but perhaps even a repurposing of an old manuscript. According to the mission leader Maite Mascort, papyri from that era were often folded and sealed, turning them into a kind of amulet that accompanied the deceased. It is likely that someone from the time of Roman Egypt, not seeing anything sacred in the scroll containing the great poem, considered it suitable material for ritual purposes, not realizing that they were leaving an invaluable witness of the era for future generations.
The necropolis where the mummy rested turned out to be a true treasure trove. In addition to the Homeric text, scholars extracted "golden tongues" — ritual plates that, according to the beliefs of that time, were supposed to help the deceased speak before the judgment of Osiris. The proximity of these sacred attributes to a fragment of text about Greek troops sailing to Troy creates an astonishing cultural cocktail, highlighting how the traditions of Hellenism and ancient Egyptian beliefs were intricately woven together in an era when the ancient world was living out its final centuries.
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