In the context of this artwork, discuss the Discovery of the History.
The Alexander Sarcophagus was found in the Royal necropolis of Ayaa, a subterranean necropolis that was divided into two hypogea, an underground temple or tomb that consists of a series of rooms. It likely functioned as a royal necropolis, which also assists in supporting the scholarly debate regarding the possible patron of this sarcophagus.
This sarcophagus in particular is one of four massive carved sarcophagi that formed two pairs. These pairs were discovered during the 1887 excavations conducted by Osman Hamdi Bey and Yervant Voskan at the necropolis near Sidon, Lebanon.
Royal necropolis of Ayaa Sarcophagus hypogea sarcophagus Sidon Yervant Voskan Osman Hamdi Bey Lebanon