   a sarcophagus (plural, sarcophagi; sarcophaguses) is a box-like funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved in stone, and displayed above ground, though it may also be buried. the word "sarcophagus" comes from the greek ÏÎ¬ÏÎ¾ sarx meaning "flesh", and ÏÎ±Î³Îµá¿Î½ phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarcophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos (Î»Î¯Î¸Î¿Ï ÏÎ±ÏÎºÎ¿ÏÎ¬Î³Î¿Ï). since lithos is greek for stone, lithos sarcophagos means "flesh-eating stone". the word also came to refer to a particular kind of limestone that was thought to decompose the flesh of corpses interred within it.wordinfo etymology. as a noun the greek term was further adopted to mean "coffin" and was carried over into latin, where it was used in the phrase lapis sarcophagus, "flesh-eating stone", referring to those same properties of limestone.columbia university department of archaeology == history ==  sarcophagi were originally called neb-ankh by the ancient egyptians, in what is usually translated today as âlord of lifeâ, or âpossessor of lifeâ.wilson, k 2009, âneb ankhâ, in mk asante, & a mazama (eds), encyclopedia of african religion, sage publications, inc., thousand oaks, ca, pp. 445-6. according to wilson, khonsura a. in encyclopedia of african religion, the term could also be applied as "a (personal and/or honorific) title or (...) (could) refer to one's most prized possession".wilson, k; mk asante, & a mazama, 2009. there is, at least, one verifiable stance of it being used as a given name in egypt's history. sarcophagi were most often designed to remain above ground. in ancient egypt, a sarcophagus formed the outer layer of protection for a royal mummy, with several layers of coffins nested within, and was often carved out of alabaster. all were usually decorated with painted or carved representations of the deceased. the hagia triada sarcophagus is a stone sarcophagus elaborately painted in fresco; one style of later ancient greek sarcophagus in painted pottery is seen in klazomenian sarcophagi, produced around the ionian greek ci
Burial_monuments_and_structures Sarcophagi Sculpture