Referred to around the world as the ‘cradle of civilization’, Egypt has been a literal crypt of historical secrets. The newest discovery from beneath the cradle came in the form of a massive sarcophagus, a stone coffin, constructed from black granite.
Local authorities, in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria, came across the tomb during a routine archeological dig for a new building construction site. Measured at 72.8 inches by 104.3 inches by 65 inches, the coffin is the largest one ever to be unearthed in the city.
What makes this ancient treasure even more extraordinary is that it has not been opened in 2,000 years, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Looters have managed to scour through multiple tombs over the centuries, but this large burial case has remained sealed with mortar.
Found 16 feet below ground, the tomb is thought to date back to the Ptolemaic period (around 305 to 30 B.C). A worn down alabaster bust was found near the sarcophagus, possibly of the man inside the tomb, but the body’s identity is still unknown. We can only hope if/or when they do open the case it doesn’t unlock any Mummy style curses.
Alexandra has been neglected by archeologist for decades, due to the congestion of the metro city, home to 5 million inhabitants. But with the clear historical value the city has presented, more efforts have been placed into ‘urban archeology.’
See photos below, videos and people’s reactions!
Source: News Agencies
