Egypt sarcophagus opened: what was inside?
The 2,000-year-old black granite tomb was found in Alexandria two weeks ago

The recent discovery of a giant sarcophagus in Alexandria that had lain untouched for around 2,000 years sparked a range of rumours, from fears that the relic carried a deadly curse to theories that it contained the remains of Alexander the Great.
Now Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities has put us out of our misery by opening it, and while a deadly curse has not been unleashed (yet), the tomb does contain skeletons - though probably not Alexander’s.
Along with an abundance of sewage that had leaked into the sarcophagus, archaeologists found the remains of what was likely to be either a family or soldiers from the time of the Pharaohs.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“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 pungent odour of the sewage initially forced the archaeologists to flee the scene after slightly shifting the 15-ton lid, before later returning with Egyptian military engineers to fully open the sarcophagus, according to the BBC.
One of the skulls found inside is said to have cracks that point to an arrow injury, supporting the soldiers theory. A worn alabaster bust was also found at the site, which has been cleared temporarily of people amid fears that the sarcophagus could release toxic fumes.
Measuring two metres (almost 7ft) high by three metres (10ft) long, the sarcophagus is the largest ever found intact and is believed to date back to the early Ptolemaic period, which began in 323 BC, following Greek leader Alexander’s death.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 20, 2025
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - Pam Bondi, retirement planning, and more
By The Week US
-
5 heavy-handed cartoons about ICE and deportation
Cartoons Artists take on international students, the Supreme Court, and more
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Who is the Hat Man? 'Shadow people' and sleep paralysis
In Depth 'Sleep demons' have plagued our dreams throughout the centuries, but the explanation could be medical
By The Week Staff
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK