Mastaba 17 at Meidum Pyramid holds the OLDEST known stone coffin — it predates Khufu's Great Pyramid! The ISIDA Project confirms it's the earliest private stone tomb known. Meidum necropolis was used by Sneferu's family before the Giza necropolis, and most other mastabas used wooden sarcophagi. Research suggests this elaborate burial was exceptional for a non-royal official.
Earliest granite sarcophagus found at Mastaba 17
EgyptArtifactSignificant Find
Key facts
- Mastaba 17 contains the earliest known granite sarcophagus
- It predates the Giza necropolis of Khufu
- Other mastabas at Meidum Pyramid used wooden sarcophagi, including Vizier Neframat's
- The sarcophagus is thicker and heavier than the Great Pyramid sarcophagus
- Only a pharaoh would be entitled to such a sarcophagus
Site mentioned
Sources
isida-project.ucoz.com
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independent.academia.edu
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