An enormous black sarcophagus has been discovered during an archaeological dig in Egypt alongside an eerie alabaster head. The mysterious coffin is 265cm (104in) long, 185cm (72in) tall, and 165cm (65in) wide, making it the largest that has ever been found in the city of Alexandria. It was discovered by an Egyptian archaeological mission after an ancient tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic period was uncovered during a construction dig. Construction laws in Egypt require developers to excavate the ground beneath their planned developments before building. Image: An alabaster head was found in the catacombs. Pic: Egypt Ministry of Antiquities Made of black granite, the sarcophagus was found five metres beneath the surface of the land beneath a layer of mortar. Advertisement According to Dr Ayman Ashmawy, the thick mortar between the sarcophagus and the surface indicates it had not been opened since it was closed around 35 BCE. Archaeologists will now attempt to find out what is inside of the mysterious coffin without damaging it. Image: The sarcophagus is the largest discovered in Alexandria. Pic: Egypt Ministry of Antiquities The archaeologists also discovered the alabaster head of a man potentially representing the owner of the tomb. The find is considered to be extraordinarily rare as many older tombs have been plundered by criminals and thieves over the centuries. It was discovered by accident and is more than 2,000 years old, dating between 305 and 30 BCE. Image: The alabaster head could be the owner the tomb. Pic: Egyptian Antiquities Ministry Despite its age, the tomb is nearer to the modern day than another found in February belonging to a high-ranking priestess who is believed to have lived 4,400 years ago. In February, archaeologists discovered a necropolis containing 40 stone coffins, small statues and a necklace with an inscription "Happy New Year".<doc-sep>Archaeological digs around ancient Egyptian sites still have plenty of secrets to give up yet – like the huge, black granite sarcophagus just discovered at an excavation in the city of Alexandria, on the northern coast of Egypt. What really stands out about the solemn-looking coffin is its size. At 185 cm (72.8 inches) tall, 265 cm (104.3 inches) long, and 165 cm (65 inches) wide, it's the biggest ever found in Alexandria. Oh, and then there's the large alabaster head discovered in the same underground tomb. Experts are assuming it represents whoever is buried in the sarcophagus, though that's yet to be confirmed. (Egypt Ministry of Antiquities) It's a fascinating find for archaeologists. Ayman Ashmawy from the Egypt Ministry of Antiquities says the layer of mortar still intact between the lid and the body of the coffin indicates it hasn't been opened since it was sealed more than 2,000 years ago. That's particularly rare for a site like this – ancient Egyptian tombs have often been plundered and damaged over the centuries, which means archaeologists rarely find a final resting place that's still intact like this one appears to be. The site as a whole dates back to the Ptolemaic period between 305 BCE and 30 BCE, with this particular find uncovered five metres (16.4 feet) below the ground. Originally found while clearing the site for a new building, the tomb is now under guard while experts can work out what exactly lies inside the black sarcophagus. It could almost be the start of a new Indiana Jones film. As Jason Daley at the Smithsonian reports, down the centuries Alexandria has developed to be such a busy, crowded city that finding relics can be a challenge – anything that has managed to survive is often difficult to get to. Those are all the details we have of the new find, so we'll have to wait and see if the identity of the buried Egyptian can be determined. But a sarcophagus of this size could mean someone of pretty high status. (Egypt Ministry of Antiquities) We haven't been short of incredible finds in Egypt this year. In February, archaeologists found a hidden network of tombs south of Cairo in the Minya Governorate, which – like the giant granite sarcophagus – have probably lain untouched for 2,000 years. Experts say it'll take them five years to work through that site. Then in April, a rare Greco-Roman temple was found. It promises to reveal secrets about the Siwa Oasis, one of the most remote settlements in Egypt, including how foreign rule affected the country between 200-300 BCE. Every discovery paints in a little more of the detail about how people lived and worked in these ancient times. We'll be keeping a close eye on this sarcophagus to see what it might reveal.<doc-sep>This black granite sarcophagus was found in a tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. Dating back over 2,000 years, it is the largest sarcophagus ever found in Alexandria, archaeologists believe. A massive black granite sarcophagus and a sculpture of a man who may be buried inside have been discovered in a tomb in Alexandria, Egypt. The granite sarcophagus looks foreboding: It's nearly 9 feet long, 5 feet wide and 6 feet tall (2.7 by 1.5 by 1.8 meters). And, it may be the largest sarcophagus ever discovered in Alexandria, said Mostafa Waziri, general secretary of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement released by Egypt's antiquities ministry. A thick layer of mortar covers much of the sarcophagus, suggesting that it has not been opened since it was buried, Waziri said in the statement. As such, the person buried in the sarcophagus, along with any clothing or jewelry they wore and any artifacts they were buried with, may still be intact, waiting to be discovered. [See Photos of Mummies Discovered at an Ancient Egyptian Cemetery] Additionally, an alabaster head of a man, which may depict the person whose remains are buried in the sarcophagus, was also found in the tomb where the sarcophagus was discovered, the statement said. This alabaster head of a man found near the sarcophagus may depict the person who was buried there. (Image credit: Courtesy Egypt Antiquities Ministry) A team from Egypt's antiquities ministry was inspecting an area of land in the Sidi Gaber district before construction work on a building began when the members came upon the mysterious coffin. It dates back to sometime between 304 and 30 B.C., a time after the death of Alexander the Great, when the descendants of Ptolemy I, who was one of Alexander's generals, ruled Egypt. At this time, Alexandria — which Alexander the Great claimed to have founded (although people were living there earlier) — was the capital of Egypt. The discovery leaves archaeologists with a series of mysteries: Who is buried inside the sarcophagus? What artifacts are hiding inside? And, why is the sarcophagus so large? The sarcophagus appears not to have been opened since it was buried, archaeologists say. (Image credit: Courtesy Egypt Antiquities Ministry) Rare opportunity While ancient tombs are often discovered in Egypt, they have often been looted, whether in ancient or modern times. Most sarcophagi are found already opened, their contents taken away and the bones of the mummies sometimes found scattered by looters. In this case, the sarcophagus appears not to have been opened yet, giving archaeologists a chance to study its contents and the person inside it. Archaeologists are being cautious with the sarcophagus. They have not opened it, and they may decide that, to prevent damage, they will use X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans or another scientific test that will allow them to peer inside without opening the sarcophagus. Originally published on Live Science.<doc-sep>CAIRO — Jet black and glistening with mud, the giant granite sarcophagus sits at the bottom of a pit in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, perfectly sealed despite being 2,000 years old, prompting ever-wilder theories about what secrets might lie inside. The discovery of the sarcophagus on a construction site last month was a rare find in Alexandria, a fabled port city where most traces of Egypt’s ancient civilizations have crumbled into the waves or lie buried beneath urban sprawl. A contractor digging foundations for a building on Al Karmili Street spotted the gleam of the burial vessel, which measures nearly nine feet by five. Archaeologists continued the dig by hand, and were excited to discover that the mortar seal around the heavy lid was entirely intact. That is unusual: Centuries of plunder by treasure hunters and professional tomb raiders have spoiled many ancient Egyptian burial sites.<doc-sep>
A mysterious, black sarcophagus has been unearthed in Egypt, but experts have no idea who is buried inside. The 8.6ft long gothic-looking coffin was dug up in a dig in the city of Alexandria, on the northern coast of Egypt and is the biggest ever to be found in the city. It was found over 16ft deep in the ground and buried along side a white, alabaster, stone head - thought to be the occupant of the sarcophagus. According to the archaeologists the black granite sarcophagus stands at 185 centimeters tall (6 feet), 265cm long (8.6 ft), and 165 cm wide (5.4 ft). The discovery has stunned the archaeologists who stumbled on the ancient find while clearing the site for a new building. (Image: AFP) Under Egyptian law all sites must be excavated before being built on. It's thought to date to the Ptolemaic period, which lasted roughly 300 years from 332-30 BCE, making it at least 2,000 years old, Sciencealert reports . Ayman Ashmawy from the Egypt Ministry of Antiquities said an intact layer of mortar lying between the lid of the coffin and the body suggests it has never been opened since it was buried thousands of years ago. The team of experts will now work to establish exactly what's inside. (Image: AFP) Recently, archaeologists unearthed a 2,200 year old coin which depicted the head of ancient king, King Ptolemy III - an ancestor of Cleopatra. In Southern Egypt archaeologists discovered a rare marble head depicting Roman Emperor Aurelius. Ancient Egyptian finds have also included the burial site of 40 mummies discovered in Minya, south of Cairo, earlier this year. Alongside the 40 mummies were pieces of jewellery, pottery and masks. The Minya excavation site is expected to take another five years to complete. Earlier this year, the tomb of an ancient priestess dating back 4,400 years was found. Again, unearthed near Cairo, the tomb was adorned with paintings of the priestess in a number of scenes.