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Greek Papyrus Fragments from Oxyrhynchus in Glasgow University Library's Special Collections DepartmentMS Gen 1026The Department of Classics: Classical Fragments
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Background to the collection of papyrus fragments in Glasgow University LibraryHow Glasgow University Library acquired the fragments These documents are a small sample of the thousands of papyrus fragments that were dug up from the rubbish heaps of the ancient city of Oxyrhynchus in Egypt at the beginning of the twentieth century, in a series of excavations organised by the Egypt Exploration Fund. While most of the fragments were housed in the Sackler Library of Oxford University, in the early years of the project the Egypt Exploration Fund also presented many of the documents to other institutions, including some University libraries. The papyrus fragments have all been documented and transcribed in The Oxyrhynchus papyri (edited with translations and notes by Bernard P Grenfell and Arthur S. Hunt; London: Offices of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1898-1981; Glasgow University Library copy shelved at Level 10 Main Lib Classics P2 OXY vol. 1-66). For more general information and background about the papyri, visit the POxy: Oxyrhynchus online web pages.
Three deposits were made to Glasgow University Library. The letter above accompanied the first deposit made in 1901 (now MS Gen 1026/1-8, 23). Two further deposits were made between 1904 and 1924. The fragments have been fully catalogued and now bear the call number MS Gen 1026/1-23.
A small booklet is shelved along with the papyrus fragments. This shows how the first deposit of these fragile documents were originally housed, slotted in and precariously secured behind paper bands glued on to the pages of the booklet. As is obvious from the yellowness seen in the images above, the paper is somewhat acidified and this booklet would not have been an appropriate storage solution for the long term survival of the fragments. The collection today In 1996/97 the University Library Conservation Department rehoused the fragments. They are now each encapsulated in laminated glass (incorporating a UV filtering film), window mounted and enclosed in buckram covered boards. This ensures that they can be handled and fully examined without their being touched, thus aiding their future survival.
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Return to index page of papyrus fragments
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