Archaeologists say a 3rd century sarcophagus found in what is now western Germany contained the remains of a young Roman woman who was buried along with perfume bottles, a makeup palette and a silver hand mirror.
![A silver hand mirror was one of the many items contained in the 3rd century sarcophagus. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XE4QDJ4YIA2GLKRKODL4F2BQJI.jpg?auth=b317aa7bcf912b278a359fbc4d1cec7268c6c45b6210bcbf9ef0b8caf23b94cb&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
The Landesmuseum in Bonn said yesterday that the massive stone coffin contained an unusual wealth of beauty products, jet jewellery, pins and a folding knife with a handle in the shape of a Hercules figure.
![Perfume bottles and a make-up palette were just some of the items recovered from the stone coffin. Photo / AP](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/LCU66VJEFI3B3JEWJRC4RUSWPE.jpg?auth=870c8ac088eef7b0e0ac231f6f57e7e9643fc6d751b4e5a6edb6ba598ab4997a&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
The 4.5-ton sarcophagus was discovered along the route of an ancient highway connecting the Roman empire settlements of Trevorum and Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium — now the German cities of Trier and Cologne.