Mysterious black sarcophagus found in Egypt

[Judi Lynn]

32. Egyptian Authorities Open Sealed Ptolemaic-Era Sarcophagus

Rampant speculation about what was inside the black granite tomb has swirled since the relic was first discovered at a building site in Alexandria

By Jason Daley
smithsonian.com
July 5, 2018 | Updated: July 20, 2018

SMARTNEWS Keeping you current
Egyptian Authorities Open Sealed Ptolemaic-Era Sarcophagus
Rampant speculation about what was inside the black granite tomb has swirled since the relic was first discovered at a building site in Alexandria



Egypt Sarcophagus
(Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities)
By Jason Daley
SMITHSONIAN.COM
JULY 5, 2018 | UPDATED: JULY 20, 2018
10.7K750141111.3K


Update, July 20, 2018: Archaeologists appointed by Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities have opened the sealed black granite sarcophagus that has had the internet abuzz since news of its discovery was announced earlier this month. Egypt Today delivered live updates on the press conference, where archaeologists announced that the Ptolemaic-era find contained three skeletons and red-brown sewage water. Addressing tabloid rumors that the sarcophagus might carry a “curse,” Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said:
“We’ve opened it and, thank God, the world has not fallen into darkness.” So that’s something. Read our original story on the discovery of the sarchophagus below:

A black granite sarcophagus was recently uncovered in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria, Egypt, reports Rob Waugh at Yahoo News UK. The most exciting part? A layer of mortar between the lid and the rest of the tomb indicates that the coffin hasn’t been opened in 2,000 years, which is rare in Egypt where looters have picked through tombs and burials for millennia.

The ancient sarcophagus was found by local authorities during standard archaeological excavations conducted before the construction of a new building on Al-Karmili Street. It was found approximately 16 feet below ground. A rough alabaster bust of a man, likely a depiction of the body in the coffin, was also discovered in the tomb, which is believed to date from the era of the Ptolemies, the Greek royal family dynasty that ruled for roughly three centuries from 305 to 30 B.C.E.

According to the Ministry of Antiquities, the tomb is about 8.6 feet long and more than 5 feet wide. Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, says it is the largest sarcophagus ever excavated in the city.

Read more: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ptolemaic-sarcophagus-discovered-alexandria-egypt-180969551/#B7WiMh2zq60m7UeJ.99