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Archaeologists set to unveil contents of giant granite sarcophagus
Originally discovered in the port city of Alexandria, the sarcophagus is the largest of its kind to be discovered still intact.
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Pompey's pillar and ancient sphinx statues in Alexandria, Egypt. (Shutterstock/File)
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rchaeologists in Egypt are preparing to open a recently discovered black granite sarcophagus that stands at 2 meters in height and 3 m in length.
Archaeologists have unearthed an enormous black granite sarcophagus said to be the largest ever found in Alexandria, Egypt https://t.co/n6XFigUqjW via @CNNStyle pic.twitter.com/32R2rUYr5r
— CNN International (@cnni) July 12, 2018Originally discovered in the port city of Alexandria, the sarcophagus is the largest of its kind to be discovered still intact. It was found within an untouched tomb, alongside an alabaster head believed to represent its inhabitant.
“We are hoping this tomb may belong to one of the high dignitaries of the period,” Ayman Ashmawy, head of ancient Egyptian artefacts at Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities, told The Guardian.
“The alabaster head is likely that of a nobleman in Alexandria. When we open the sarcophagus, we hope to find objects inside that are intact, which will help us to identify this person and their position.”
The sarcophagus was originally found at a construction site and due to the layer of mortar between the lid and body, archaeologists believe it has not been touched since it was buried.
Read also: Israel returns sarcophagus covers to Egypt as relations warm
Still, the opening of the tomb, which will be done onsite, will require a lot of preparation.
“It’s risky to open it directly – we need to prepare,” Ashmawy said. “It’s difficult to move it intact and open [it] in a museum. It’s 5 m underground and the whole thing weighs over 30 tons. The lid alone is 15 tons.”
Archaeologists are set to open the sarcophagus within the coming weeks, and mummification and restoration specialists will be on standby to guarantee the future preservation of the tomb and its contents. (sul/kes)
