Cairo — Zehi Hawass, Egypt’s top archaeologist, said that his country will file an official request with the US authorities to return a 3000-year old sarcophagus. According to Hawass, the beautifully ornamented wooden coffin was illegally smuggled out of Egypt about a century ago.

The coffin, which is about 1.5 meters long, was stolen from a tomb in Luxor, an ancient capital in southern Egypt, and it was smuggled out of the country in 1884. The coffin arrived in Spain where an American brought the Pharaonic coffin from a Spanish dealer and shipped it to the United States. The coffin was later confiscated by the American customs officials in Miami, Florida, where it still is.

According to Zahi Hawass, the coffin belongs to Pharaoh Ames of the 21st Dynasty (1081-931 BC). The Dynasty was established after the reign of Ramses III when the Pharaohs suffered a decline in royal power and ruled for more that 150 years from Tanis.

The coffin is ornamented with paintings and religious inscriptions which had a special meaning to the ancient Egyptians. The inscriptions were meant to help the soul travel safely to the afterlife.

Astigan.com