Sun filtered though the light shades in the hallway of offices for Miskatonic's department of Egyptology. At 9.00 am, it was a bit early for most of the faculty to be in but Max was certain Erman would be in. Johann Peter Adolf Erman; professor of Egyptology, expert in the grammar of the Middle Kingdom. Even in his seventies, Erman came to the office early and worked a full day.
"Max? Is that you?" Adolf said, obviously surprised to see him. After the small talk, Max quickly produced the sarcophagus and placed it on a small table in front of Erman, littered with pieces of papyrus and note paper. The old man's eyes lit up immediately and quickly began looking the piece over, deciphering the symbols. "Middle Kingdom for certain," he mumbled, turning the piece over in his hands. "Yes, Middle Kingdom." He stared intently at the symbols inside the box, a quizzical look etched into his wrinkled skin. "These markings here, on the inside. They are not any form of Egyptian," he said, looking up at Max. "Where did you come across this piece?"