Description of the attraction
Archaeologists believe that the catacombs of Kom El Shukafa began to be built as a necropolis in the 2nd century BC. and continued to be used for 200 years. This period in the history of Alexandria is characterized by a mixture of different cultures. The ancient Egyptian kingdom with a millennial past after the conquest by Alexander the Great came under the influence of Greek rulers who brought the traditions and culture of the metropolis.
The catacombs are part of the necropolis or "city of the dead", built according to Egyptian tradition on the western outskirts. Initially, it was the tomb of a wealthy family, but later the burial place was expanded for unknown reasons. The common name "Kom-El-Shukafa" in translation means "Mound of fragments" - it appeared thanks to broken ceramics found in the area. According to the researchers, relatives who visited the graves brought food and drinks in earthenware vessels, and, not wanting to take the dishes used in the cemetery, smashed and left fragments here.
It is assumed that there was a large burial room on the surface above the catacombs in antiquity, since a wide, round rampart 6 m in diameter was excavated, descending into an underground structure. Two shafts, separated by a wall, lead downward - these are the remains of a spiral staircase with windows. At the junction of the underground and upper levels and along the stairs, there are places carved into the stone - benches for rest. Further, the path leads to a rotunda room, from which a view of a round shaft-well, descending to the lower levels, opens. To the left of the rotunda is the banquet hall known as Triclinium. It was here that relatives held annual celebrations and holidays in honor of the deceased.
The next level is the main part of the tomb, many of the elements in it are made in the style of a Greek temple. In the lower part, between two columns, there are the steps of the pronaos, or porch. Initially, this corridor was the only one and was intended for burial niches, later it grew into a labyrinth. The lowest level of the burial chambers is flooded and inaccessible to visitors.
What makes these catacombs unique is the mixture of styles in sculpture and painting. For example, in the temple room behind the pronaos there are statues of a man and a woman, their bodies carved according to the canons of ancient Egyptian art, and their heads are made in a realistic Greek style, the female one has a Roman hairstyle. On both sides of the doorway on the facade of the temple there are two relief snakes guarding the tomb, they represent the Greek good spirit "agehodaimon", and they wear the traditional double crowns of Egypt, entwining Greco-Roman staffs. On top of their heads are Greek shields depicting Medusa.
The tomb has many sarcophagi with mummies buried according to the Egyptian canons, and numerous niches with the remains of those who were cremated according to the Greek and Roman rites.
