Science

Giant black granite sarcophagus unearthed in Egypt

View 4 Images
The sarcophagus was found in a tomb 5 meters (16 feet) below the surface
Ministry of Antiquities
The sarcophagus was found alongside an alabaster sculpture of a male head, thought to be that of the occupant
Ministry of Antiquities
The sarcophagus was found alongside an alabaster sculpture of a male head, thought to be that of the occupant
Ministry of Antiquities
The sarcophagus was found in a tomb 5 meters (16 feet) below the surface
Ministry of Antiquities
The sarcophagus measures 265 cm (104 in) long, 165 cm (65 in) deep and 185 cm (73 in) deep
Ministry of Antiquities
View gallery - 4 images

A massive black granite sarcophagus has been discovered in Egypt. It was found in a tomb 5 meters (16 feet) below the surface alongside an alabaster sculpture of a male head, thought to be that of the occupant. The lid of the 265-cm (104-in) sarcophagus is sealed with mortar, indicating that it has not been removed in its 2,000-year entombment. The find occurred in Alexandria, and is thought to be the largest sarcophagus ever discovered there.

The find came as the result of a land inspection at a potential building site in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria. The sarcophagus measures 265 cm (104 in) long, 165 cm (65 in) wide and 185 cm (73 in) deep. The identity of the occupant is unknown.

The sarcophagus measures 265 cm (104 in) long, 165 cm (65 in) deep and 185 cm (73 in) deep
Ministry of Antiquities

In its report, Smithsonian Magazine sets the find in context. Until the last few decades, the city of Alexandria has been overlooked by archaeologists as it's grown into a thriving modern city with some 5 million inhabitants. More broadly, it's been thought that many archaeological sites in Egypt would have already been picked bare.

However, in 2005 the remains of the University of Alexandria were found. It's thought that the Greek mathematician and scientist Archimedes may have studied there in his youth.

The city of Alexandria is through to have been founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. It was laid siege in the time of Julius Caesar as well as during the Byzantine-Persian and Napoleonic Wars. Today it is Egypt's second largest city.

Sources: Ministry of Antiquities, Smithsonian Magazine

View gallery - 4 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
6 comments
Fairly Reasoner
Grave robbing is grave robbing.
Derek Howe
Hopefully they at least scan it, MRI or some other imaging method. It's likely just some old dude's bones, but who knows. I'm sure it will get opened eventually as well. As it should be.
CAVUMark
Open the pod bay doors, HAL.
nick101
Darth Vader?
Expanded Viewpoint
When whomever it was that supposedly got buried there complains about the grave being robbed, maybe I'll give a minute of listening time to them.
Randy
erl
Its not a sarcophagus in my opinion. Just because it is used as a sarcophagus does not say it started out as a sarcophagus.