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A Sarcophagus is a stone coffin designed to hold a human body. Though sarcophagi have been used by several cultures, they are most often associated with ancient Egyptian royalty. In the TV Series Stargate SG-1, the Goa'uld who misrepresented themselves to mankind as gods, designed sarcophagi not as containers for the dead, but as restorers and extenders of life.

The sarcophagus technology was one of many technologies the Goa'uld copied from Ancient designs. It was invented by the Goa'uld Telchak after he discovered an Ancient healing cube. The sarcophagus uses similar, but less powerful means to heal and with some similar if less immediately visible side effects. Anubis warred against Telchak in hopes of recovering the Ancient device he copied but it was hidden on Earth inside a temple and remained so until it was recovered by Dr. Daniel Jackson and Bill Lee.

Though the abilities of the sarcophagus to heal human bodies is an amazing laudable feat, the Tok'ra shun the device, believing it drains the good from one's soul, as Daniel Jackson discovered when encouraged to use one for an extended period. The effects are addictive and repeated use appears to affect the mind severely making an individual prone to megalomania. The goa'uld use the device regularly regardless of the state of their health, as it extends their lifespan significantly without having to switch hosts. It is possible that the use of the technology contributed significantly to the evil nature of the Goa'uld.

As mentioned by Ra in the Stargate movie, the device is powered by a rare mineral that the series later named naquadah. Ra used the people of Abydos to mine the mineral to provide power for his ships and the source of his immortality, the sarcophagus.

Key Episodes

• Stargate
• Hathor
• Need
• Enemies
• The Tomb
• Abyss
• Evolution