Thousands sign petition to drink mysterious liquid from newly discovered Egyptian sarcophagus

Ahram Online, Sunday 22 Jul 2018

Sarcophagus
Archaeologists unearth coffin containing three mummies with sewage water and bones inside, in Alexandria, Egypt (Photo: Reuters)

An international petition demanding that the Egyptian government let people drink from a mysterious red liquid found inside a newly discovered black granite sarcophagus in the coastal city of Alexandria has garnered 11, 000 signatures since it was launched two days ago.

The Change.org petition, which has set a goal of 15,000 signatures, demands that authorities "let people drink the red liquid from the dark sarcophagus."

“We need to drink the red liquid from the cursed dark sarcophagus in the form of some sort of carbonated energy drink so we can assume its powers and finally die,” the petition says.

Egyptian archaeological authorities have said that the liquid found inside the sarcophagus likely found its way into the box from a sewage trench, causing the mummies to decompose and leaving only their skeletons. 

Last week, the discovery of the probably 2,000-year-old sarcophagus put Egypt and its coastal city of Alexandria in the international spotlight, with some speculating that it houses the found body of Alexander the Great.

Some even suggested the mysterious sarcophagus should not be opened for fear that it could unleash a curse.

However, a committee from Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities has determined that the sarcophagus houses the remains of three warriors who appear to have died during battle.

"The ministry cannot at this moment determine the identity of the mummies or the era they lived in. However, the place of discovery and the sarcophagus itself do not indicate that it belonged to kings or emperors," the ministry said.

The Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri says the sarcophagus is currently undergoing examination and restoration by the ministry, and the liquid found inside is being examined to reveal its composition and nature.

Waziri added that his earlier statements about the mummies being the remains of soldiers was just initial speculation, since one of the three skeletons shows signs of being struck by an arrow.

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