24/02/2026
The Serapeum of Saqqara
The Serapeum of Saqqara is an underground burial site discovered in 1850 by Auguste Mariette. It consists of long rock-cut tunnels about 17 m below ground, extending nearly 400 m, with side chambers holding massive stone sarcophagi weighing around 70–85 tons each. The complex began in the reign of Amenhotep III, was expanded by Prince Khaemweset, and later enlarged under Psamtik I, with further use in the Ptolemaic era.
The sarcophagi, carved from very hard stones such as granite and basalt, show high precision in cutting and polishing. Although traditionally believed to have housed the sacred Apis bulls, most were found empty; only funerary objects and inscribed stelae were discovered, many now in the Louvre Museum. Questions remain about how the tunnels were excavated, how such huge blocks were transported and positioned in narrow passages, and why most coffins contained no remains. Even an attempt by King Farouk to remove one sarcophagus reportedly failed, highlighting their immense weight and the continuing mystery surrounding the site.
Booking a trip in Egypt and spending few days in a Nile cruise touring between Luxor and Aswan is the best way to spend your vacation
