Almost every pyramid contains a stone sarcophagus that could not have been brought in after construction.
Mastaba 17, near the Meidum Pyramid, holds the oldest granite sarcophagus in Egypt.
The sarcophagus is large and well-crafted, with a flat surface for the lid, though it remains uninscribed.
At Giza, the Great Pyramid’s sarcophagus is plain and unadorned.
Comparisons are made between Khufu’s sarcophagus and that of his son, Kawab.
Kawab’s sarcophagus includes unique features such as grooves for ropes to facilitate lid movement.
Djoser (3rd Dynasty) – Sarcophagus found beneath his step pyramid, along with another granite box in the South Tomb within his pyramid complex.
Sekhemkhet (3rd Dynasty) – Alabaster sarcophagus with a unique sliding-door design, found beneath his unfinished pyramid.
Sneferu (4th Dynasty) – Associated with the Meidum Pyramid and Mastaba 17, where the oldest granite sarcophagus in Egypt was found.
Khufu (4th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus found in the Great Pyramid of Giza, plain and uninscribed.
Kawab (4th Dynasty) – Son of Khufu, his granite sarcophagus was found in a mastaba near the Great Pyramid, featuring a unique lid design.
Khafre (4th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus found in his pyramid at Giza, plain but well-preserved.
Menkaure (4th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus, once a rare masterpiece, is now lost at sea.
Shespseskaf (4th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus fragments found, undecorated.
Userkaf (5th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus fragments found, undecorated.
Sahure (5th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus fragments found, undecorated.
Djedkare (5th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus fragments found, undecorated.
Unas (5th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus, undecorated but in good condition.
Teti (6th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus was unsquared and not polished in areas lacking inscriptions.
Pepi I (6th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus was simple and unsquared.
Merenre (6th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus was of high quality and finish.
Pepi II (6th Dynasty) – Sarcophagus was of high quality and finish.
The video closes with a return to Sekhemkhet’s empty sarcophagus, suggesting that it may have been designed for temporary use.
Dimensions of the Sarcophagus in the King's Chamber:
The granite sarcophagus in the King's Chamber of the Great Pyramid has dimensions that closely match the biblical description of the Ark of the Covenant (approximately 2.5 cubits long, 1.5 cubits wide, and 1.5 cubits high).
The ark of the covenant went inside the center of the pyramid, inside the sarcophagus.
The arc of the covenant
Based on these dimensions, the Ark of the Covenant would fit inside the sarcophagus in the King's Chamber:
Length: The Ark's length of 45 inches (114 cm) is shorter than the internal length of the sarcophagus, which is 78.1 inches (198.4 cm).
Width: The Ark's width of 27 inches (69 cm) is just within the internal width of the sarcophagus, which is 26 inches (66 cm), making it a tight fit.
Height: The Ark's height of 27 inches (69 cm) is within the internal depth of the sarcophagus, which is 29.8 inches (75.7 cm).
Therefore, the Ark of the Covenant would indeed fit within the sarcophagus in the King's Chamber, though the width would be very snug.
Speculation: Some believe the Ark was linked to the Great Pyramid's power, fitting perfectly into the sarcophagus in the King's Chamber.
The elaborate sarcophagus lid in the Temple of the Inscriptions depicts Pakal's image in a vivid and intricate manner, showcasing his importance and the Maya belief in the afterlife.
Above ground, within the pyramid structure, are the Queen's Chamber and the King's Chamber, containing a granite sarcophagus.