Israeli archaeologists discover rare sarcophagus, scarab ring from when pharaohs ruled area
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Israel's Antiquities Authority says archaeologists have unearthed a rare sarcophagus featuring a slender face and a scarab ring inscribed with the name of an Egyptian pharaoh.
The mystery man whose skeleton was found inside the sarcophagus was most likely a local Canaanite official in the service of ancient Egypt, Israeli archaeologists believe, shining a light on a period when pharaohs governed the region.
Edwin van den Brink, an Egyptologist and archaeologist with the authority, says the face is "very serene."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said his team of archaeologists found the sarcophagus while digging in recent months in northern Israel's Jezreel Valley. He says the last time a similar item was found in the area was about 50 years ago.