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Massive Black Coffin Found In Egypt And People Are Losing It
Fascinating and terrifying all at the same time! Who or what do you think could be inside?
Cheryl Knight
07.17.18

Egypt’s historical significance in the world is vast. It’s been deemed the “cradle of civilization.” It’s also home to the Suez Canal, Great Pyramids, Great Sphinx of Giza, the Nile River, and the Valley of the Kings, which is the site of many pharaoh burial chambers, just to name a few notable monuments and sites.

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When hearing the word Egypt, you might also envision a few popular movies with some Egyptian history and folklore included, such as The Mummy (the 1932 version and the 1999 release), Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Stargate (1994), and, of course, Elizabeth Taylor’s epic film Cleopatra (1963). These movies bring to mind the country’s majesty and mystery.

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2,000-Year-Old Casket Found

It seems Egypt is still full of mysteries, even more than 5,500 years after the first Egyptian pharaoh ruled. A major discovery was just made in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria, Egypt, according to a Bored Panda report. Workers for the Supreme Council of Antiquities found a 16-foot black sarcophagus. The workers found the casket 16 feet below ground during a new construction project.

The sarcophagus is reportedly 2,000 years old, from the Ptolemaic period (around 305 to 30 BC).

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It turns out, the coffin is the biggest one to ever be found in the city, according to Mostafa Waziri, general secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. It measures 72.8 inches by 104.3 inches by 65 inches (about 8.6 feet long and more than five feet wide) and has not been opened in more than 2,000 years, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Somehow looters, who usually break into tombs and steal anything of value inside, were not able to find this particular coffin.

Bust Found Near Coffin

Another “ancient treasure” was found next to the sarcophagus: an alabaster bust that was worn down. Current speculation is that the bust may be of the man inside the coffin. However, no one knows for sure, as the coffin has not yet been opened.

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It might seem odd that an ancient coffin could go unnoticed for more than 2,000 years; however, Alexandria is a congested metropolitan city with more than 5 million residents. In fact, the tomb might never have been found if it weren’t for an Egyptian law that requires builders to excavate a site before building.

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The reality is that over time, Alexandria has been developed over ruins of ancient monuments, marble palaces, monuments and other ancient treasures, some of which may never be discovered due to the urbanization of the city.

Biggest Egyptian Discoveries

Many amazing discoveries have occurred in Egypt through recent history. In fact, here are some of the top discoveries made in the county in recent times, according to Live Science:

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Daily Star
  • King Tut’s tomb: Discovered in 1922, the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings may be the most known archaeological discovery on record. The tomb was filled with King Tut’s death mask, as well as a plethora of treasure.
  • Tomb KV5: Excavations in 1995 uncovered a tomb that turned out to be the biggest one constructed in the Valley of the Kings. To date, 121 chambers and corridors have been found in the tomb.
  • Pyramid town at Giza: Since 1988, archaeologists from Ancient Egypt Research Associates began excavating a town near the Pyramid of Menkaure, on the Giza Plateau. Since then, they have found barracks for soldiers, a port for goods importing, and large living quarters for senior officials.
  • Rosetta Stone: Found in 1799, this ancient stone is actually a decree written to permit a 13-year-old pharaoh to rule Egypt in 196 BC.

If you get a chance to visit Egypt yourself, be on the lookout for new mysteries and wonders, and make sure to visit the Museum of Cairo to view a jaw-dropping collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts.

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Watch the video below to learn more about the amazing sarcophagus discovery:

[Source: Ancient Architects]

Source: Bored Panda

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