Experts were driven from the site of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus after opening it unleashed a putrid stench.
The granite casket, which had been sealed, was thought to be the largest ever found in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria.
Weighing more than 30 tonnes it was found at a building site, five metres below ground level.
The BBC reported that experts had only opened the lid by 5 centimetres when they were forced to leave by the unbearable smell, apparently caused by fetid liquid.
After returning to lift the lid with the help of the military, they found the skeletal remains of three people.
The granite casket, which had been sealed, was thought to be the largest ever found in the Egyptian port city of Alexandria.
Secretary‑General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, told media that they 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.
[Source:Stuff.conz]
