Tabnit Sarcophagus
The anthropoid sarcophagus, made of diorite stone, found in Room II of Hypogee B, was named after the last owner of the tomb, King Tabnit of Sidon. The lid of the sarcophagus has the appearance of a pharaoh's sarcophagus reflecting the mummy form, and a wide pendant decoration covers the neck and shoulders. The Egyptian hieroglyphic writing on the chest enables us to learn that the first owner of the land was an Egyptian commander named Penephtah. Again, the same article contains the traditional curses of the owner of the tomb against those who will disturb him in his grave. Below this, the contents of another text written in *Phoenician script are as follows: I am Tabnit, Priest of Astarte and King of the Sidonians, in this sarcophagus - I am buried. O whoever finds my grave, do not open my Jahdim and disturb my peace. Because I have neither silver nor gold nor treasure with me. I just lie in this sarcophagus. Opening this sarcophagus, which is my grave, such an act is a great insult to Astarte. If, contrary to my admonition, you open this sarcophagus and disturb my peace, be deprived of your lineage and lineage among the living and under the sun, and do not find a place to sleep among the dead!” This inscription is attributed to Tabnit, the king of Sidon and priest of the Goddess Astarte, the second owner of the sarcophagus. Tabnit Sarcophagus, which is the oldest sarcophagus of the Sidon King Necropolis, is dated to the 6th century BC.

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