Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

The Mysteries of Egypt’s Serapeum and the Gigantic Sarcophagi

Ivan PetricevicbyIvan Petricevic
January 22, 2024
in Unsolved Mysteries
One of the granite sarcophagi in the Serapeum, Saqqara, Egypt. Image Credit: Ovedc/ CC BY SA 4.0.

One of the granite sarcophagi in the Serapeum, Saqqara, Egypt. Image Credit: Ovedc/ CC BY SA 4.0.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In the sweltering heat of 1850, renowned French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette embarked on a monumental expedition, driven by a desire to enrich the collections of the Louvre Museum in Paris. His journey took an unexpected turn when he stumbled upon a peculiar protrusion in the sands of Saqqara, not far from where the first pyramid of Egypt was built. This curiosity led Mariette to unearth what would soon be recognized as one of Egypt’s most enigmatic discoveries: the entrance to the underground Serapeum. The use of explosives revealed a vast tomb complex, hidden beneath the desert for millennia, sparking intrigue and mystery in the academic world.

The Enigmatic Sarcophagi

Buried under the vast desert were not just corridors, but a 790-foot-long subterranean passage, a hidden world carved into the limestone bedrock. Lining this passage were alcoves, each housing a colossal stone sarcophagus. These weren’t ordinary burial containers; each one was an engineering marvel, approximately 13 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and towering over 10 feet tall. Weighing an astonishing 70 to 100 tons, with their lids alone weighing about 25 tons, these granite behemoths presented a puzzle: how were these massive structures transported and maneuvered into place by the ancient Egyptians? This question remains one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries of ancient engineering.

The Apis Bull and Mystical Theories

The Apis Tombs inside the Serapeum at Saqqara. Seen here is a passage showing the Sarcophagi Recess. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain.
The Apis Tombs inside the Serapeum at Saqqara. Seen here is a passage showing the Sarcophagi Recess. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain.

While mainstream Egyptologists predominantly endorse the theory that these sarcophagi were designed for the sacred Apis bulls, an animal embodiment of the god Osiris, this explanation is not without its detractors. The discovery of just one tomb with animal remains casts a shadow of doubt over this theory. The Apis bull was not merely an animal but a divine symbol, believed to be a terrestrial messenger of the gods. Myths recount the divine birth of the first Apis, born from a cow touched by a heavenly beam of light. This celestial connection fuels speculation about the sarcophagi’s purpose, perhaps as a bridge between the earthly realm and the stars.

The Debate over the Age of the Serapeum

The enigma deepens when delving into the age of the Serapeum. Ancient chroniclers like Herodotus, Strabo, and Eusebius spoke of Egypt’s Golden Age, a time shrouded in myth and legend, possibly dating back as far as 10,500 BC. This era, supposedly a time when deities and mortals coexisted, tantalizes researchers with the possibility that the Serapeum could be a remnant from this mystical epoch. However, the scientific community remains skeptical, often refuting such ancient timelines. This ongoing debate highlights the chasm between traditional archaeological interpretations and more speculative historical theories.

Related Posts

11 Objects You Should Keep At Home According to Baba Vanga.

11 Objects You Should Keep At Home For Better Health and Luck, According to Baba Vanga

September 14, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
Image Credit: The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company.

A Mystery in the Desert: The Massive Mojave ‘Megaphone’

April 5, 2019 - Updated on March 29, 2022

Beyond Mainstream Beliefs

The discovery of mostly empty sarcophagi in the Serapeum has given rise to a myriad of alternative theories. These hypotheses, often sidelined by mainstream academia, suggest that the sarcophagi served a purpose far more complex than mere animal burial. Some theorists propose that their colossal size and intricate construction point to a function beyond our current understanding, possibly relating to ancient astronomical practices or even lost technological knowledge. The refusal of mainstream science to entertain these possibilities only adds to the Serapeum’s aura of mystery, making it a source of endless fascination and speculation.

Have something to add? Visit Curiosmos on Facebook. Join the discussion in our mobile Telegram group

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Ivan Petricevic

Ivan Petricevic

I've been writing passionately about ancient civilizations, history, alien life, and various other subjects for more than eight years. You may have seen me appear on Discovery Channel's What On Earth series, History Channel's Ancient Aliens, and Gaia's Ancient Civilizations among others.

Related Posts

The Zapata Footprint Mystery: Claims of a Human Footprint Dating Back 290 Million Years
Unsolved Mysteries

The Zapata Footprint Mystery: Claims of a Human Footprint Dating Back 290 Million Years

May 10, 2019 - Updated on January 22, 2024
An illustration of interstellar artifacts and UFOs. Depositphotos.
Unsolved Mysteries

What Ancient UFO Sightings Reveal About Humanity’s Obsession With the Unknown

January 16, 2025
Artists rendering of bullets from different countries and Nostradamus in the middle. A prediction of War? Shutterstock.
Unsolved Mysteries

Is World War III That “Nostradamus” Allegedly Predicted About to Happen?

January 8, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
An image of the Great Sphinx of Giza. Shutterstock.
Unsolved Mysteries

3 Striking Reasons Why We Still Don’t Know The Exact Age of the Great Sphinx

January 2, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
A view of the Great Pyramid of Giza, its entrance and people accessing it. Shutterstock.
Unsolved Mysteries

5 Incredible Things People Don’t But Should Know About the Great Pyramid of Giza

November 14, 2019 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The first UFO sighting on the Moon was recorded in 1668 and NASA archives confirm it
Unsolved Mysteries

The first UFO sighting on the Moon was recorded in 1668 and NASA archives confirm it

March 2, 2019 - Updated on April 18, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists