The Mysterious Mummy of Alexandria

An ancient Egyptian sarcophagus was unearthed in the city of Alexandria in Egypt. The said sarcophagus was made of black granite and was estimated to be around 2000 years old. 

A view of the unopened sarcophagus from above. Image: The Guardian.

Mystery surrounded the sarcophagus, as it was unusually large (3 meters long) and carbon dating placed it around the Ptolemaic period, 322 BC. Speculation arose that the remains may be of Alexander the Great as he was possibly buried in Alexandria around the same time.

Adding to the mystery was the talk of a curse which might be unleashed if the sarcophagus was to be opened. Two weeks and several conspiracy theories later, the sarcophagus was finally opened to reveal three fully decomposed mummies drenched in a reddish foul smelling liquid.

Removal of the 1.5 ton lid revealed that the sarcophagus contained three decomposed skeletons. Image: Egypt Today.

A close-up of the skeleton showed three skulls drenched in what could be sewage water. Image: CNN

Initial analysis of the recovered skeletons revealed arrow marks which suggests that they were probably soldiers. Also the absence of death masks made of precious metals meant that they were more likely common folk rather than being Roman royals.

Adding to the evidence is the location of the burial site, which was outside the city bounds, so even if the tomb dates back to the Ptolemaic era, its location reveals that those found inside may not be Roman or Egyptian royals.

But its not the completely decomposed mummies that have grabbed the attention of the public but rather the reddish pungent liquid that it contains  has given rise to a petition. The petition was started in England and almost 28,000 people have signed for it which would permit them to "drink the red liquid from the cursed dark sarcophagus" which supposedly imparts supernatural powers.