homehome Home chatchat Notifications


Archaeologists opened the big, black sarcophagus found in Egypt

Now, what's in the big black box?

Mihai Andrei
July 20, 2018 @ 1:24 pm

share Share

Some ten days ago, archaeologists unearthed a black sarcophagus near the city of Alexandria, Egypt. The sarcophagus was a total mystery — no one know who or what was inside, and no one was really sure what to expect.

To add to the puzzle, this was the biggest sarcophagus ever found in Alexandria, measuring 185 cm (72.8 inches) in height, 265 cm (104.3 inches) in length, and 165 cm (65 inches) at its widest. Now, archaeologists have finally opened the tomb and so far, there’s no curse upon them.

The granite sarcophagus weighs 27 tonnes (59,500lb) and is believed to date from the early Ptolemaic period, which began in 323 BC after the death of Alexander the Great. Image credits: Egypt Ministry of Antiquities.

The finding has naturally sparked Indiana Jones-like curiosity in people all around the world. Some were expecting the remains of Alexander the Great, while others speculated of an ancient curse (for whatever reason) — but reality will probably disappoint both of those groups.

According to Egyptian news outlet El-Watan, the first thing archaeologists opening the sarcophagus noticed was the pungent stench — something you’d expect from a sarcophagus that’s been buried for many centuries.

Inside the sarcophagus, there were three male skeletons in a reddish-brown puddle. Their identity has not been confirmed, but the lack of any precious metals or jewelry means they’re unlikely to have been royals.

“We found the bones of three people, in what looks like a family burial… Unfortunately the mummies inside were not in the best condition and only the bones remain,” said Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The three men were possibly warriors since one skull appeared to be injured by an arrow. An alabaster bust, its features eroded far beyond recognition, was also discovered near the sarcophagus. It seems plausible that the bust belongs to whoever was interred inside the sarcophagus, but that’s nigh-impossible to prove given the advanced state of decay.

Image credits: Egypt Ministry of Antiquities.

To some, the finding may be a bit disappointing. As Gizmodo’s Adam Clark Estes put it, “there was no curse, no apocalyptic scenario, no Alexander the Great. There were just a bunch of human bones soaking in sewage.” But the finding is remarkable nonetheless.

In between the constant looting, plundering, and Alexandria’s growing urbanization, any findings in the area are noteworthy. The fact that this sarcophagus was so big and contained not one but three skeletons is also interesting, and after all, it’s still a 2000-year-old tomb that’s been unearthed.

Modern archaeology is not as much about big findings as it is about describing the lives and telling the stories of ancient people. We want to know how these people lived, how they started families and built things, how they faced struggles and what they liked to do. In that regard, this finding is as important as any.

share Share

Tennis May Add Nearly 10 Years to Your Life and Most People Are Ignoring It

Could a weekly match on the court be the secret to a longer, healthier life?

Humans Have Been Reshaping Earth with Fire for at Least 50,000 Years

Fossil charcoal reveals early humans’ growing impact on the carbon cycle before the Ice Age.

The Strangest Microbe Ever Found Straddles The Line Between Life and Non-Life

A newly discovered archaeon blurs the boundary between cells and viruses.

This $8750 Watch Was Designed for Space and Could Finally Replace Apollo-era Omega Watches

An audacious new timepiece dares to outshine Omega’s legacy in space

The Brain May Make New Neurons in Adulthood and Even Old Age

Researchers identify the birthplace of new brain cells well into late adulthood.

Your gut has a secret weapon against 'forever chemicals': microbes

Our bodies have some surprising allies sometimes.

High IQ People Are Strikingly Better at Forecasting the Future

New study shows intelligence shapes our ability to forecast life events accurately.

Cheese Before Bed Might Actually Be Giving You Nightmares

Eating dairy or sweets late at night may fuel disturbing dreams, new study finds.

Your Personal Air Defense System Is Here and It’s Built to Vaporize Up to 30 Mosquitoes per Second with Lasers

LiDAR-guided Photon Matrix claims to fell 30 mosquitoes a second, but questions remain.

Scientists Ranked the Most Hydrating Drinks and Water Didn't Win

Milk is more hydrating than water. Here's why.