Egyptologists have been warned not to open a 2,000-year-old sarcophagus over fears it might unleash an ancient curse.

The giant solid-black granite tomb was discovered three weeks ago by archeologists, during a dig in the coastal city of Alexandria – a possible site where Alexander the Great could be buried.

Experts were elated when they found the 10ft long sarcophagus, which dates back to the Ptolemaic dynasty that lasted between 305BC and 30BC.

It is unclear who the tomb belonged to as the Egyptian Ministry of Antiques has carried out research on the outside of the tomb itself and a statue that was found alongside it.

Could the curse of the pharaohs be REAL?

British Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of Tutenkhamun in 1922. When visitors to the tomb and members of his team mysteriously started dying, people started to say the tomb was cursed.

Now experts will prise open the ancient sarcophagus in the hope that new secrets will be uncovered.

Despite rumours, it is unlikely the tomb belongs to Alexander the Great – although it could contain the body of a wealthy nobleman.

But several commenters took to social media to express their fears over a possible The Mummy-like curse being unleashed when they open the tomb.