classicpenguin:

Researchers who work on the decoding of human genetic history by tracking gene mutation have recently discovered the date The Iliad was written: “762 B.C., give or take 50 years,” according to this Inside Science article. 

There’s lots more there, too, including how they did it: charting the replication and evolution of the Swadish word list (from mid-century American linguist Morris Swadish), which includes terms apparently found in every language and culture, such as colors and body parts.

Image above comes from The Homer Multitext at The Center for Hellenic Studies, which is absolutely worth more than a few minutes of cruising.

Good to know, and glad to see those genetic linguists pulling their weight around here. But seriously, a really interesting interdisciplinary collaboration.