While examining the items, which included letters, receipts, and census documents, scholar Colin Roberts saw a fragment inscribed with text he recognized ​ — a few verses from John chapter 18.
Kirjadest, kviitungitest ja registreerimisdokumentidest koosnevaid leide uurides märkas õpetlane Colin Roberts fragmenti talle tuttavast tekstist – selleks olid salmid Johannese evangeeliumi 18. peatükist.