Clarifications on the clay plate with the worms of the Odyssey by the research team of ancient Olympia

In clarification to avoid misinterpretations following the great publicity that resulted from the recent announcement of the discovery of the clay plate with verses from the Odyssey to Olympia,

As stated in an announcement "This is the first time an excerpt from the Odyssey is found on a slab of clay, while the research team is studying the possibility that". it is the oldest Homeric epic text found on the Greek site (except the 1-2 verse albums). "

Following the press release of the Ministry of Culture and Sports and following the great publicity aroused by the recent announcement of the foundation of the clay plate at Odyssey in Olympia, we believe that it is necessary to clarify to avoid disturbing impressions and misconceptions

C & # 39; is undoubtedly a great discovery, especially concerning the research ar and the history of the place. The inscription on the slab of clay found in a place with Roman remains a short distance from the shrine of Olympia, saves the first 13 verses of Rhapsody of Odyssey and according to the collected data until 39, here by the research team, it is the oldest surviving pbadage of these verses, in each case verses 1-8 and verses 9-13, as long as the preliminary dating of the registration is verified

Also, with the data up to here, it is the first time that an excerpt from the Odyssey is found in clay plate the research team explores the possibility that it is the oldest Homeric epic text found on the Greek site (except albums with 1-2 verses)

All of the above underlines the great importance of discovery and its uniqueness as archaeological, epigraphic, a literary and historical presumption. However, we reiterate the reservation made in the first communication that all this is our first guess and is not the final publication of the label, which will be followed within a reasonable time

On behalf of the & # 39; 39th research team: [19659003] Dr. Erofili-Iris Kollia (Head of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Ilia), Kath. Franziska Lang (Darmstadt Polytechnic), Dr. Clemens Bruenenberg (Darmstadt Polytechnic), Kath. Hans-Joachim Gehrke (University of Friborg), Kath. Klaus Hallof (Berlin-Brandenburgische Wissenschaften Academy, Inscriptiones Graecae), Dr. Birgitta Eder (Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften), Kath. Andreas Vtt (University of Mainz) »

Source: RES – MEP