Serapeum of Saqqara: How Were These Gigantic Sarcophagi Crafted and Polished?

The Serapeum of Saqqara: Unraveling the Mystery of Crafting and Polishing the Mammoth Sarcophagi Nestled in the vicinity of the grand pyramids, south of Cairo, lies an ancient site that is no less fascinating than its more famous counterparts, the Serapeum of Saqqara.

This subterranean complex is home to a series of puzzling artifacts that continue to confound historians and engineers alike, the massive sarcophagi of Saqqara. The Serapeum boasts 27 of the largest and most flawlessly crafted sarcophagi ever discovered, dating back around 3,500 years.

These monumental stone caskets, thought to be the resting places for sacred Apis bulls, are testaments of ancient engineering prowess. Each sarcophagus, carved from solid granite — a material renowned for its extreme hardness — showcases a polished finish so refined that it rivals glass.

The sheer size and craftsmanship of these artifacts raise a significant puzzle that leaves historians scratching their heads: How did the ancient Egyptians, equipped only with bronze tools, manage to quarry, transport, and polish these stones, weighing up to 70 tons and stretching over 13 feet in length?