One of the Great Mysteries of Egypt: The Serapeum of Saqqara

The Serapeum of Saqqara stands as one of the most mysterious and captivating archaeological sites in Egypt. This ancient burial ground, dedicated to the sacred Apis bulls, is named after the deity Serapis—a fusion of the revered bull Apis, Osiris, and the god Sorok. Discovered in 1850 by French archaeologist Auguste Mariette, the site is famed for its massive granite sarcophagi and labyrinthine corridors, which reveal the religious devotion and engineering genius of ancient Egypt.

Discovery and Marvelous Architecture While excavating at Saqqara, Mariette unearthed half of a sphinx buried in the sand. This led to the astonishing discovery of the Serapeum—an intricate system of underground corridors housing over 60 granite sarcophagi. Each sarcophagus, weighing between 70 and 100 tons, was carved from single blocks of granite transported from Upper Egypt by barge. The logistics and precision involved in shaping and moving these massive structures highlight the exceptional craftsmanship of the ancient Egyptians.

Religious and Historical Significance The Serapeum dates back to the New Kingdom, though the Apis bull cult is believed to have originated as early as 4000 BCE. The Apis bulls were considered incarnations of Ptah and later became associated with Osiris, in the form of Serapis. Worshipped during their lives, these sacred bulls received elaborate funerary rites upon death, with their bodies entombed in colossal sarcophagi to honor their divine status. Despite centuries of study, the Serapeum continues to mystify archaeologists, with unanswered questions about the rituals, construction techniques, and cultural practices that took place in this sacred space.