CAIRO - Egyptian archaeologists have found skeletons when they opened a mysterious giant sarcophagus on Thursday in the coastal city of Alexandria, Antiquities Ministry said.

The 30-ton black stone coffin was discovered in Alexandria several weeks ago under a building during construction work.

"Experts removed the granite cover and found bones of three skeletons that are thought to be of ancient warriors," Secretary General of the Antiquities Ministry, Moustafa Waziri said in a press statement.

One of skulls appeared to have an arrow wound in it, he said.

The sarcophagus is from the Ptolemaic period, which has led to speculation that it could contain the body of Alexander the Great, whom the city of Alexandria is named.

But Waziri dismissed the claim.

The skeletons were found in a pool of brackish red water, he added, highlighting it was likely that sewage water had entered via a fracture in the coffin.

He added that the skeletons will be transferred to Alexandria National Museum for further study.

The sarcophagus is three-meter long by two-meter high.

A white alabaster bust was also found in the tomb.