Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa Alexandria Egypt tours, booking, prices
Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa means “Mound of Shards”. In fact, the tomb are a historical archaeological site located in Alexandria, Egypt. Moreover, the tombs are indeed one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. The necropolis of the tombs consists of a series of Alexandrian tombs. It also consists of statues and archaeological objects of the Pharaonic funeral cult. It is with Hellenistic and early Imperial Roman influences. The features of the Catacombs merge Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultural points. In fact, it was due the time. Some statues are Egyptian in style, yet bear Roman clothes and hair style. It is whilst other features share a similar style.
A circular staircase often used to transport deceased bodies down the middle of Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa. It leads down into the tombs. Tombs tunneled into the bedrock during the age of the Antonio emperors (2nd century AD). The facility then used as a burial chamber. It was from the 2nd century to the 4th century. It was before rediscovered in 1900 when a donkey accidentally fell into the access shaft. Three sarcophagi have found, along with other human and animal remains. They added later. It believed that the catacombs only intended for a single family. But it is unclear why the site expanded to house many other individuals. Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa Alexandria are also one of the seven medieval wonders of the world. It is according to some lists.
Further details about Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa Alexandria:
One of the more gruesome features of the catacombs called Hall of Caracalla. According to tradition, this is a mass burial chamber. It was for the humans and animals whom massacred by order of the Emperor Caracalla in 215 AD. In fact, Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa lie on the western necropolis of Alexandria. They consist of three levels cut through solid rock. The third level being now completely underwater. The catacombs have a six pillared central shaft which opens off the vestibule. On the left is a trillium. It is a funeral banquet hall where friends and family gathered on stone couches. They covered with cushions. Both at the time of burial and also on future commemorative visits.
In fact, a stone staircase descends to the second level, an area alive with sculptures. In the lobby of the building two pillars. They topped by the papyrus, lotus, and acanthus leaves of ancient Egypt. Two falcons flanking a winged sun decorate the frieze. Figures of a man and a woman carved into the wall at Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa. The man’s body has a stiff hieratic pose. It is typical of Ancient Egyptian sculpture. Moreover, it is with a head. The head carved in the lifelike manner of the classic Hellenes. The woman’s figure also posed but bears the Roman hairstyle. There are three huge stone coffins. They are with non-removable covers along the sides of the chamber. In fact, it assumed that bodies inserted in them from behind. They using a passageway which runs around the outside of the funeral chamber.
More details about Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa Alexandria:
There is a hallway with deep walls in the central tomb chamber. It is with carved recesses. In fact, each one provides burial space for three mummies. Visitors can reach the first level through a breach in the rotunda wall, which made at an unknown date. This leads to the Hall of Caracalla, in this hall the bones of horses and humans found. Catacombs Kom El Shoqafa named so because the area used to contain a mound of shards of Terra cotta. It consisted of jars and objects made of clay. These objects left by those visiting the tombs. Who would bring food and wine for their consumption during the visit. They did not wish to carry these containers home from this place of death so they would break them. So at the time of the discovery, heaps of these broken plates found.
