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Egyptian sarcophagus found in Essex house | Egyptian sarcophagus found in Essex house |
(about 1 month later) | |
An ancient Egyptian sarcophagus worth at least £6,000 has been discovered - propped up in an Essex house. | An ancient Egyptian sarcophagus worth at least £6,000 has been discovered - propped up in an Essex house. |
The 3,000-year-old coffin was found by auctioneer Mark Stacey as he inspected the Colchester property as part of a house clearance. | The 3,000-year-old coffin was found by auctioneer Mark Stacey as he inspected the Colchester property as part of a house clearance. |
It is thought the 6ft wooden casket once housed the body of a noblewoman and will be auctioned on 26 November. | |
Mr Stacey said: "It was a like something from the Addams Family standing there in the drawing room," | Mr Stacey said: "It was a like something from the Addams Family standing there in the drawing room," |
It is thought to have been in the owner's family for about 60 years and may have been acquired after a museum closed down. | It is thought to have been in the owner's family for about 60 years and may have been acquired after a museum closed down. |
Mr Stacey added: "It is certainly the oldest item I have been asked to look at in my 30-year career and probably one of the most exciting. | Mr Stacey added: "It is certainly the oldest item I have been asked to look at in my 30-year career and probably one of the most exciting. |
"I was quite taken aback by its beauty. It's almost like someone might walk out and join the family for dinner." | "I was quite taken aback by its beauty. It's almost like someone might walk out and join the family for dinner." |
This is the second such item to be found in Essex recently. | This is the second such item to be found in Essex recently. |
Last month, a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus lid found in a house in Bradwell-on-Sea sold at auction in Cambridgeshire for £12,000, significantly more than its guide price of £3,000. | Last month, a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus lid found in a house in Bradwell-on-Sea sold at auction in Cambridgeshire for £12,000, significantly more than its guide price of £3,000. |
"It's a bit bizarre to find two similar items almost at the same time," Mr Stacey said. | "It's a bit bizarre to find two similar items almost at the same time," Mr Stacey said. |
"It's a bit like buses. They all come along at the same time." | "It's a bit like buses. They all come along at the same time." |
The coffin has a carved wooden face and hieroglyphics on the back. | The coffin has a carved wooden face and hieroglyphics on the back. |
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