The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is currently showcasing a significant piece of literary history: the oldest known surviving written fragment of Homer’s Odyssey. Located in Gallery 162 of its Greek and Roman Art galleries, this papyrus offers a direct link to the epic poem’s ancient past, notably containing verses not found in today’s standardized editions.
This remarkable fragment dates from approximately 285 to 250 BC, placing its creation firmly within Egypt’s Ptolemaic period. Its journey to The Met began with its discovery in 1902 at the necropolis of el-Hibe in Egypt. Seven years later, in 1909, the Egypt Exploration Fund gifted the artifact to the museum, where it has since resided.
Measuring just under 20 cm (over 7 inches), the fragment is inscribed with ink, a mixture of lampblack and water, applied with a stylus onto papyrus—a common writing material of antiquity. Its display in a vertical glass case allows visitors to view both sides. The fragment’s profound significance lies in its content: it preserves three lines from Book 20 of The Odyssey that are absent from the poem’s versions known today. This unique textual variation provides tangible evidence of diverse ancient versions of Homer’s epic.
The fragment’s return to public display in August 2026 coincided with the release of a new film adaptation of The Odyssey. Its exhibition is part of a broader museum initiative that highlights the enduring legacy of the epic poem, featuring six other related objects from The Met’s collection.