A German archaeological team has discovered a rare wooden Pharaonic sarcophagus in the southern city of Luxor, the first such find in nearly two centuries.
Khalil Ghali, a senior antiquities official for southern Egypt, said on Tuesday that the empty sarcophagus, from the 13th Dynasty (1785 to 1680 BC), "is believed to be the biggest of its type." It is 2.7 meters (8.9 feet) long, 1.5 meters high and one meter wide.
A hieroglyphic inscription on its face revealed that it belonged to an official called "Amni," said the council. But a member of the team said an inscription found inside indicated it was originally made for a woman, Jehset, believed to be Amni's wife.
"We have not yet determined why it was re-done and assigned to her husband," said the German expert.
No body was found inside the sarcophagus, which was believed to have been pillaged by robbers.
Other inscriptions were found on the inside surface, as well as drawings, one of which depicted a funerary scene.
The sarcophagus, which was found in a chamber with three rooms, was more or less intact, with only minor damage.
"A similar but smaller sarcophagus was discovered in 1820," said Zahi Hawas, secretary-general of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. "It belonged to the same period and a woman called 'Mentohetip.'"

© 2004 Agence France-Presse