Fragments: Gospel of Mark found in Egyptian Face mask 80AD
THE oldest known fragment of a Christian gospel may have been found glued inside an Egyptian mummy ’s mask. Experts believe it dates from just 60 years after Christ ’s death. Biblical scholars say the scrap of papyrus they have recovered may contain part of the Gospel of Mark and dates from about 90AD. The words it contains are yet to be published. The oldest confirmed gospel texts date from the second century. LiveScience reports the fragment’s discovery comes from a controversial technique which destroys “papier-mache” Egyptian death masks in an effort to unravel the “waste” papyrus sheets and linen used in their construction. The documents recovered from several such masks are due to be published later this year. The ancient Egyptian practice of mummification survived well into the Roman era , but few could afford the rich gold and lapis lazuli of the Pharaohs. Those on a budget who still wanted to preserve their bodies for eternity settled for the best