Un manuscrit perdu à Rome révèle le plus ancien poème anglais

18 mai 2026

Rapporté par l'IA

Des chercheurs ont identifié à Rome un manuscrit vieux de 1 200 ans contenant l'une des plus anciennes copies connues de l'Hymne de Cædmon, le premier poème écrit en anglais. Cette découverte offre un nouvel éclairage sur la valeur accordée au vieil anglais au début du Moyen Âge.

Des universitaires du Trinity College de Dublin ont découvert ce manuscrit du début du IXe siècle à la Bibliothèque nationale centrale de Rome. Daté entre 800 et 830, il s'agit de la troisième plus ancienne copie conservée de ce poème de neuf vers célébrant la création du monde par Dieu. Contrairement aux versions antérieures où le texte en vieil anglais n'apparaissait qu'en marge, cette copie intègre le poème directement dans le texte latin principal de l'Histoire ecclésiastique du peuple anglais de Bède le Vénérable.

Articles connexes

Researchers decode 4,000-year-old cuneiform tablets revealing rituals and beer receipt

Researchers from the National Museum and the University of Copenhagen have deciphered over 4,000-year-old clay tablets, uncovering magic spells, royal records, and everyday bureaucracy from ancient Middle Eastern civilizations. The texts include rare anti-witchcraft rituals protecting Assyrian kings and a regnal list hinting at the historical existence of King Gilgamesh. One tablet even records a simple receipt for beer.

Medieval monk may have spotted Halley's comet first

13 mai 2026 Rapporté par l'IA

New research suggests that an English monk identified Halley's comet as a repeating visitor nearly seven centuries before Edmond Halley received credit for the discovery. Eilmer of Malmesbury reportedly recognized the comet seen in 1066 as the same object he had observed in 989.

Science

Ancient trees reveal medieval solar storm from 1200 ce

Entertainment

Prize-winning Granta story likely written by AI

Science

Ancient human DNA found on cave art for first time

Name of ancient Maya mathematician decoded from mural

Researchers have identified the name of a Maya astronomer-mathematician from around 1200 years ago along with his calculations on planetary orbits. The discovery comes from inscriptions at a site in Guatemala. It marks the first time such a personal name has been directly linked to astronomical work in the Americas.

Ern Malley hoax endures as Australia’s most famous literary scandal

13 mai 2026 Rapporté par l'IA

In 1943 two poets created a fictional writer named Ern Malley to mock modernist literature. Their deception fooled editor Max Harris and led to a celebrated issue of Angry Penguins before the truth emerged.

Science