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The black sarcophagus was found to contain three skeletons and lots of sewage.

Over 20,000 Have Petitioned to Drink the ‘Pharaoh Punch’ of the Black Sarcophagus

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The strange story of the black sarcophagus found in Alexandria continues…

In an unexpected turn of events, over 20,000 people who have signed an online petition requesting permission to drink the red-brown sewage that three skeletons have been seeping in for 2,000 years. The creator of the petition, innes mck explained why: “we need to drink the red liquid from the cursed dark sarcophagus in the form of some sort of carbonated energy drink so we can assume its powers and finally die.”

Others backing the petition give an interesting array of explanations why they want access to the smelly sewage; reasons range from re-animating mummies to gaining superpowers to natural selection taking its course. Here is a selection of some of the more curious responses why people have signed the petition so far:

“Finally die? Power? That's what I'm talking about, sign me up!” – Katrina Hermanns

“I want to drink the red ghost juice so I can assume my true form. Upon emerging from my cacoon [sic] of screaming rended [sic] souls and spreading my black tendrils to all corners of this world my six heads will each open their three maws wide and begin singing the dirge that will end the world.”- Ryan Bolduc

“The curse said that anybody who even touches "the drink" would certainly die. I'm assuming they're not dying in vain and the mummy feeds off their life force becoming stronger and stronger every day and with every signature. So I guess I'm signing for the mummy to come back to life and make s[***] interesting.” – Adrian I

Some are apparently considering drinking the liquid from the black sarcophagus to bring something like this about. (donvito62/Deviant Art)

Some are apparently considering drinking the liquid from the black sarcophagus to bring something like this about. (donvito62/Deviant Art)

“Let those people do what they want as long as other people aren't hurt. Its [sic] natural selection after all.” - Clint Diamante

Most of the reasons are obviously meant as a joke that is founded on social media speculation that the sewage water found in the black sarcophagus was actually some sort of ancient elixir of life or magical liquid that could provide unknown abilities to those who drank it.

As the number of petitioners climbed, the Egyptian Antiquities Authority apparently felt it necessary to make a statement trying to quell the outrageous desire to imbibe a most certainly toxic drink. They declared that the liquid “is neither 'juice for mummies that contains an elixir of life' nor is it red mercury” – it’s just sewage water that has had human remains marinating in it for a couple of thousand of years.

Would anyone really want to drink this stuff? (Ministry of Antiquities)

After 12,500 people had signed (the petition was halfway towards its goal of 25,000) and the Ministry’s call for sanity came out, the petition’s creator rebutted, “please stop trying to tell me the skeleton juice is mostly sewage that’s [ sic] impossible everyone knows skeletons cannot poop.”

While even the joke of drinking “Mummy Juice” or “Pharaoh Punch” (two of the names for the proposed carbonated drink – ignoring the fact that the remains are skeletons and most likely warriors, not royalty) leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many people, it is worth considering some of the peculiar elixirs from antiquity which people have actually consumed with hopes of magical results.

Mercury, cinnabar, and jade were all preferred by ancient Chinese alchemists searching for an elixir of immortality due to their unique appearance, with mercury being favored as a liquid metal. But these toxic drinks actually took the lives of numerous emperors from China’s various dynasties.

Woodcut illustration of 'Putting the miraculous elixir on the tripod' from Xingming guizhi (Pointers on Spiritual Nature and Bodily Life) by Yi Zhenren, a Daoist text on internal alchemy published in 1615. (Wellcome Images/ CC BY 4.0 )

Woodcut illustration of 'Putting the miraculous elixir on the tripod' from Xingming guizhi (Pointers on Spiritual Nature and Bodily Life) by Yi Zhenren, a Daoist text on internal alchemy published in 1615. (Wellcome Images/ CC BY 4.0 )

Donkey milk, the Lingzhi mushroom, gold, and aloe, have all been touted as other options to consume to extend a person’s lifespan. The search for the Fountain of Youth and other elixirs of immortality sent ancient explorers on expeditions around the world.

The Fountain of Youth, 1546 painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder. ( Public Domain )

The Fountain of Youth, 1546 painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder. ( Public Domain)

Returning to the black sarcophagus, it’s necessary to explain a little more on the nature of its discovery and the stories around it so far. It was found in the beginning of July in Alexandria, Egypt and is a remarkable find - a black granite coffin which stands at approximately 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and over 5. 5 feet (1.65 meters) wide. Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities said it may be the largest ever found in Alexandria.

From the moment it was found until today, there have been rumors swirling around the unique discovery. One of the more interesting suggestions, which has been debunked, was that the massive stone sarcophagus was the final resting place of Alexander the Great. There were also warnings against opening the tomb due to worries of a mummy’s curse – to which Waziri scoffed, “We've opened it and, thank God, the world has not fallen into darkness. I was the first to put my whole head inside the sarcophagus... and here I stand before you ... I am fine.”

The black sarcophagus may be the largest ever found in Alexandria . ( Ministry of Antiquities )

The black sarcophagus may be the largest ever found in Alexandria . (Ministry of Antiquities)

No curse has emerged, but the peculiar petition shows there is a viral nature to the mystery black sarcophagus.

Top Image: The black sarcophagus was found to contain three skeletons and lots of sewage. Source: Ministry of Antiquities

By Alicia McDermott

 

Comments

Please it would be my honor to let my ancestors drink the fermented nectar of my loins and bowels. Long life!

Yuk!

The longer I live the more I wonder about the sanity of some people.

Alicia McDermott's picture

Alicia

Alicia McDermott holds degrees in Anthropology, Psychology, and International Development Studies and has worked in various fields such as education, anthropology, and tourism. She is the Chief Editor of Ancient Origins Magazine. Traveling throughout Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, Alicia... Read More

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