Archaeology & History

Giant Egyptian sarcophagus has been opened

By T.K. Randall
July 20, 2018

Image: The Mortuary Complex of Menkaure, Egypt
Credit: Noureddin Abdulbari / CC BY-SA 4.0 (adapted) Measuring a whopping 9ft long, 5ft wide and 6ft tall, the casket, which was unearthed at a building site following a preliminary inspection by a team from Egypt's antiquities ministry, dates back around 2,000 years and is the largest sarcophagus ever discovered in the city.

After it was first revealed, there was much speculation and debate over what was inside with some suggesting that it may even contain the remains of Alexander the Great himself.

Now though, after finally lifting the lid, archaeologists have revealed that the sarcophagus actually contains the remains of three human skeletons submerged in disgusting sewer water.

The smell was so bad that after the lid was lifted even slightly, the operation had to be postponed."We found the bones of three people, in what looks like a family burial," said Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

"Unfortunately the mummies inside were not in the best condition and only the bones remain."

Before it was opened, some had warned that the contents of the casket may be cursed.

"We've opened it and, thank God, the world has not fallen into darkness," said Waziri. "I was the first to put my whole head inside the sarcophagus... and here I stand before you... I am fine."

Source: BBC News

Tags: Egypt, Sarcophagus