Sarcophagus

The Etruscan sarcophagus of the spouses, at the National Etruscan Museum

File:Worms sarcophagi.jpg

Roman-era Sarcophagi at Worms, Germany

Anthropoid sarcophagus discovered at Cádiz

Detail of a stone sarcophagus in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum showing a hunting scene.

A sarcophagus is a stone container for a coffin or body. The word comes from Greek "sarx" meaning "flesh," and "phagien" meaning "to eat," so that sarcophagus, which means "eater of flesh." The 5th century B.C.E. Greek historian, Herodotus, noted that early sarcophagi (the plural) were carved from a special kind of rock that consumed the flesh of the corpse inside. In particular, coffins made of a limestone from Assus in the Troad known as lapis Assius had the property of consuming the bodies placed within them, and therefore was also called sarkophagos lithos (flesh-eating stone). All coffins made of limestone have this property to a greater or lesser degree, and the name eventually came to be applied to stone coffins in general.

Sarcophagi were usually made by being carved, decorated or built ornately. Some were built to be freestanding above ground, as a part of an elaborate tomb or tombs. Others were made for burial, or were placed in crypts. In Ancient Egypt, a sarcophagus was usually the external layer of protection for a royal mummy, with several layers of coffins nested within.

The sarcophagus was also used to protect dead bodies.

Examples

Photo of the St Andrew's Sarcophagus.

Merenptah

Stone sarcophagus of Pharaoh Merenptah

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Budge, E. A. Wallis. 2004. The Sarcophagus of Anchnesraneferab Queen of Ahmes II King of Egypt. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 1417947608
• Grajetzki, Wolfram. 2003. Burial Customs in Ancient Egypt: Life in Death for Rich and Poor. Duckworth Publishers. ISBN 0715632175

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