Everything about Sarcophagus totally explained
A
sarcophagus is a
funeral receptacle for a
corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the
Greek sarx meaning "flesh", and
phagein meaning "to eat", hence
sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase
lithos sarkophagos the word came to refer to the
limestone that was thought to decompose the flesh of corpses interred within it.
Common forms
Sarcophagi were most often designed to remain above ground, hence were often ornately carved, decorated or elaborately constructed. Some were built to be freestanding, as a part of an elaborate
tomb or series of tombs, while others were intended for placement in
crypts. In Ancient Egypt, a sarcophagus formed the external layer of protection for a
royal mummy, with several layers of
coffins nested within, and was often carved out of
alabaster.
Sarcophagi – sometimes metal or plaster as well as limestone – were also used by the
ancient Romans until the early
Christian burial preference for interment underground, often in a limestone
sepulchre, led to their falling out of favor
.
Other meanings
The word
sarcophagus is also commonly used to describe the large concrete structure erected around the remains of the
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to isolate it from the environment, following the
Chernobyl disaster.
The fly family
Sarcophagidae derives its name similarly, and the roots of the word similarly translate to "flesh eater", though the meaning is different.
In the popular television series
Stargate SG-1, a sarcophagus is a device which can heal a human body placed inside - even bringing a person back from the dead.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Sarcophagus'.
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