Fourth-Century Labour Contract

The partial papyrus document above is a labour contract dating back 1600 years. A guard was hired to protect a vineyard in Egypt, a difficult job because thieves beat watchmen in order to the fruit.  Kyle Helms of the University of Cincinnati deciphered the ancient Greek text:

“I agree that I have made a contract with you on the condition that I guard your property, a vineyard near the village Panoouei, from the present day until vintage and transport, so that there be no negligence, and on the condition that I receive in return pay for all of the aforementioned time…”

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