Neglected For Centuries, Egyptian Sarcophagus Lid Sells For £12,000

Ancient artifacts have an uncanny knack of being discovered in the most unlikely of places. Moreover, owners who are ignorant about the true value of these hidden treasures, more often than not, keep them utterly neglected. Such an Egyptian sarcophagus lid was recently auctioned off for a handsome amount.

An ancient Egyptian sarcophagus lid found in “an Indiana Jones moment” at a house in Essex has fetched £12,000 ($19,509) at an auction. The top of the coffin is believed to be about 3,000 years old. The lid alone sold for more than 12 times its lower estimate in Cambridgeshire.

The 6 ft. 5in (2 meters) tall Egyptian artifact was owned by big game hunter and journalist Captain ‘Tiger’ Sarll, who died in 1977. Stephen Drake from Willingham Auctions discovered the relic covered in cobwebs in a house in Bradwell-on-Sea. Sarll ‘s granddaughter Ali Watkins attended the sale and said a picture of the sarcophagus was featured in a book presented to Capt. Sarll when he appeared on TV show This is Your Life in 1961.

Speaking about the adventurer and the unexpected windfall, Watkins said,

“”He was a great adventurer and traveled the globe… but we don’t know the exact history of how it came in his possession. We didn’t know what it was going to go for but it’s a good price and the lady who won the bid was very happy and she thought it was going to go for awful lot more”

Though the woman who won the bid has chosen to stay anonymous, Sarll has confirmed the two will stay in touch, reported Cambridge News. Moreover, in a very generous gesture, the woman has assured that the sarcophagus lid will go to a museum.

The sarcophagus lid discovery is being dubbed an Indiana Jones moment, since it was “almost magical”. Mr. Drake said he found the sarcophagus propped up in the corner of a room after being called to help clear Capt. Sarll’s former home which was being renovated, reported World News Network.

Speaking about the same, Mr. Drake said,

“I felt like Indiana Jones, it was amazing because it was just a normal call. The only way into this room was through this big hole in the wall and there was this coffin top covered in cobwebs and dust so it was just like walking into a tomb. It was like something magical having found it… and then selling for £12,000 is fantastic.”

Perhaps this discovery and sale will allow hoarders to justify their activities and stash, which can sometimes prove fatal.

[Image Credit |Willingham Auctions]