Alexander the great stirs up controversy in Egypt

Photo of Raneem Abubaker Raneem Abubaker2:23 PM BST • July 21, 2018
Alexander the great stirs up controversy in Egypt

A massive black coffin was accidentally discovered in Alexandria earlier this month, sparking a great deal of controversy and some outrageous claims from Egyptian officials following the unveiling of its contents. These claims have gathered all kinds of reactions from the Egyptian public some of which are hilarious to say the least.

Here’s how it happened.

Alexander the great dies

Alexander died in 323 BC in Babylon, in what is now Iraq, but his remains were later moved to an unknown location in Alexandria.

2000 years later…

Mysterious Tomb Found

30-Tonne coffin accidentally found by construction workers on-site of an apartment building in the historic Mediterranean city of Alexandria Egypt.

This picture released on July 1, 2018, by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities shows an ancient tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic period found in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria. - The tomb, which dimensions are a height of 185 cm, length 265 cm and width of 165 cm, contains a black granite sarcophagus considered to be the largest to be discovered in Alexandria. The tomb was found at a depth of 5 meters beneath the surface of the land, there is a layer of mortar between the lid and the body of the sarcophagus indicating that it had not been opened since it was closed in antiquity. An alabaster head of a man was also found and most probably belongs to the owner of the tomb. (Photo by - / various sources / AFP) / XGTY / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / HO / EGYPTIAN MINISTRY OF ANTIQUITIES- NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS == (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
This picture released on July 1, 2018, by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities shows an ancient tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic period found in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria. (Photo credit /AFP/Getty Images)

Suspicions arise

the media outbreaks with different theories about the contents of the massive tomb and rumours about the tomb belonging to Alexander the great start going around. 

 

Suspicions arise, alexander the great tomb, Alexandria, Egypt, historical discovery
This picture released on July 1, 2018, by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities shows the alabaster head of a man found in an ancient tomb dating back to the Ptolemaic period, digged out in the Sidi Gaber district of Alexandria. (Photo credit – AFP/Getty Images)

Ministry of antiques dismisses the theories

Egypt‘s antiquities ministry dismisses any chance of finding Alexander’s remains inside the 2,000-year-old sarcophagus in a press release.

 

The tomb is opened

The tomb is opened as Egyptians hold their breath fearful of a thousand years curse unleashing at the opening of the tomb.

Contents of Tomb are unveiled

To our great disappointment the tomb turns out to contain mummified family, and some sewage from a leak in a nearby building. The exact location of Alexander the great’s tomb remains a mystery.

Suspicions arise, alexander the great tomb, Alexandria, Egypt, historical discovery
(Photo credit -/AFP/Getty Images)

Government issues outrageous statement

Government officials issue statement “Skulls bear characteristics of bravery and chivalry that can only exist in a warrior.”

Suspicions arise, alexander the great tomb, Alexandria, Egypt, historical discovery

How Egyptians reacted to the incident

This is not a henna this is the antiques committee

https://twitter.com/mohamed43110396/status/1020057629203329024

Plumber needed!!

No curse! Want some sewage water?

https://twitter.com/Sweetmayouya/status/1020080083179012096

Imagination gone wild

Disappointment in the air!

Alexander is a Croatia fan

Another priceless reaction to the sewage!

Outrage over warrior claims!

Please, Make them stop!

Zamalek is coming!

https://twitter.com/Scaalingup/status/1020006604169719808?s=19

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Photo of Raneem Abubaker Raneem Abubaker2:23 PM BST • July 21, 2018