Archaeologists unearth a mysterious sarcophagus in Egypt



[ad_1]

Egyptian archaeologists have discovered a rare find – a huge black granite sarcophagus said to be the largest ever found in Alexandria, Egypt.

And they do not know who or what is inside. a coffin 185 cm high was found buried about 5 meters underground, with an alabaster head whose features were worn to the point of being discovered.

It was discovered on July 1 on a construction site during a routine archeological inspection by government officials, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced, in an official Facebook message. The news was reported by Al-Ahram, the Egyptian state newspaper.

The New Egyptian Museum of One Billion Dollars

Egypt is governed by strict laws to protect and preserve national antiquities. Under the law on the protection of antiquities, all antiques are considered the property of the state.

Archaeologists date the site up to the Ptolemic epoch, between 305 and 30 BCE.

  A used alabaster bust was also found at the site.

A used alabaster bust was also found at the site. Source: Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities

Ancient Greek and Roman artifacts are not unusual discoveries in Alexandria, the famous home of Macedonian ruler Alexander the Great. But unlike the other ancient Egyptian tombs that were opened and looted, the 2000-year-old sarcophagus has not been disturbed until now.

  The granitic sarcophagus is 6 feet high, 8.7 feet long and 5.4 feet wide

The granite sarcophagus is 6 feet high, 8.7 feet long and 5 feet high. 4 feet wide. Credit: Egpyt Ministry of Antiquities

Dr. Ayman Ashmawy, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector, said that the mortar layer between the lid and the body of the sarcophagus indicated that it had not been opened.

The Preservation of the Tomb Could Give Archaeologists a Rare Opportunity to Study its Content

Local media reports that the large sarcophagus will have to be lifted by a tow truck and transferred to an archaeological site to be opened and examined.

CNN reached out to the Department of Antiquities and UNESCO for comment.

[ad_2]
Source link