Egyptian Archaeologists Unseal A 2,500-Year-Old Sarcophagus And Cause The Internet To Freak Out
2020 has been a scary year so far: we’ve had everything from Apocalyptic fires and a pandemic to social unrest and a close call with WW3. Now, archeologists in Egypt have unsealed the first of 59 wooden sarcophagi that date to around 2,500 years ago. Understandably, the internet is losing its mind and freaking out (just a tad) about how 2020 is not the year to do that.
The first coffin, containing an ancient mummy, was cracked open in front of a live audience, including foreign dignitaries and members of the media. Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, praised his colleagues for not letting Covid-19 stop them from unearthing the secrets of the Ancient World. The sarcophagi will be taken to the Grand Egyptian Museum where they will be displayed to the public.
All jokes aside, this is a huge historical moment and it’s reminding me why I love history so much. Personally, I’m jealous of anyone who will have the opportunity to see the sarcophagi in person. In the meantime, scroll on down and see how people reacted to the first coffin being opened.
Archeologists found 59 colored wooden sarcophagi in the Saqqara Necropolis
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Image credits: VisuallySt
They cracked open the first coffin in front of a live audience
Image credits: VisuallySt
Image credits: VisuallySt
Image credits: VisuallySt
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Image credits: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Here’s a video of the sarcophagus being opened
The mummy tomb, which has been sealed for 2500 years, has been opened for the first time. pic.twitter.com/KWGT95girv
— Psychedelic Art (@VisuallySt) October 5, 2020
Image credits: VisuallySt
The dig was launched amid the 11 pyramids of Saqqara in 2018 and yielded great results. The wooden coffins were found inside 10-12 meter deep burial wells in the Saqqara Necropolis.
The sarcophagi were found in good condition: they still have their original colors. The coffins most likely belonged to priests and other members of high standing society.
However, they weren’t the only archeological finds of note during the expedition: researchers also found various statues and sculptures. Previously, members of the dig found mummified lions, cats, cobras, and crocodiles, according to the New York Post.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to rewatch ‘The Mummy’ movies for pointers and look at rowing boat prices (mummies can’t swim, right?). Just in case.
And here’s how some people reacted to archeologists cracking open ancient coffins while it’s still 2020
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