Archaeologists working in Egypt have uncovered a fragment of Homer's ancient epic poem "The Iliad" on a Roman-era mummy, according to researchers involved in the excavation.

The discovery was made during excavations of a Roman-era tomb in an Egyptian town, where researchers found the literary text placed atop the mummified remains. The fragment represents a significant archaeological find due to its rarity and unique placement.

Experts noted that this marks the first time a literary text has been discovered in a funerary context of this type. The placement of the Homeric text on the mummy suggests it may have held special significance in ancient burial practices during the Roman period in Egypt.

The "Iliad," attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, is one of the foundational works of Western literature, recounting events during the Trojan War. Finding physical fragments of such ancient texts is exceptionally rare, making this discovery particularly valuable for scholars studying both classical literature and ancient burial customs.

The excavation team continues to analyze the fragment and its context within the broader archaeological site to better understand the circumstances surrounding its placement and preservation.