Eagle-eyed conservator finds the (new) oldest book in the world

We have a new oldest book in the world, thanks to the keen eye of a Graz University Library conservator.

Theresa Zammit Lupi was working on a papyrus fragment that dates back to the 3rd century BC — four hundred years before the previous earliest-known books — when she noticed evidence of sewing.

In other words, the papyrus had, at one time, been part of a codex.

When it was discovered, over a hundred years ago, it was serving as mummy wrapping.

Fine Books magazine's website has more on the Graz Mummy Book.

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