In 1898, a treasure trove of papyri was discovered in a trash dump 160 kilometers south of Cairo. Since then, scholars from around the world have been cataloging and transcribing thousands of pieces of papyrus, the most popular writing medium before books, documenting life in the ancient Mediterranean. The University Libraries recently acquired two pieces from this, now, priceless archive.
These new acquisitions of ancient manuscripts are housed in the Libraries Rare and Distinctive (RaD) Collections. Oxyrhynchus Papyrus No. 1256 dates to the reign of the Roman Emperor Probus (r. 276-282) and provides details of two individuals who will become eligible to serve as a priest and a priestess in several temples. Oxyrhynchus Papyrus No. 1265, dating back to the final full year of the Roman Emperor Constantine’s reign (r. 306-337), details a priest providing background documentation on his eligibility for priesthood.
“What drew me to the papyri was their religious aspect,” said RaD Collections Instruction Coordinator Sean Babbs, who led the effort to purchase the manuscripts. “The temples mentioned in the papyri are synchronistic, a mix of traditional Egyptian, Greek and Roman pantheon of gods. These manuscripts are a great representation of how polytheism operated in the Mediterranean region in the pre-modern world.”
The Oxyrhynchus papyrus archive is a collection of manuscripts excavated near the eponymous Egyptian town. Many of the manuscripts are a part of university collections worldwide and a few papyri have gone to private parties. The two papyri at the Libraries were purchased through a rare books dealer who acquired the manuscripts that were previously part of the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School library collection. Dealers do significant background research to determine the provenance of the pieces they acquire to provide the university with as much information for the collections as possible.
“Papyrus is incredibly rare because it’s not a very durable writing material and can become very brittle and prone to falling apart,” added Babbs. “The pieces are stored in a glass box in a climate-controlled environment, but students still have the opportunity for interaction and can pick it up while it’s protected.”
“When we purchase new materials like the papyri, we open the door for professors to bring in students into the libraries, generating further interest in the libraries’ collections,” said Classics, Jewish, and Religious Studies Librarian Megan Welsh. “This primary resource is great at connecting students and faculty to secondary resources, including books by scholars who’ve analyzed these artifacts.”
To view the papyri email rad@colorado.edu. Patrons must schedule an appointment at least a day in advance to view the materials in the reading room. Learners from all fields of study and interest are free to view the materials.