( The Royal Cemetery of Kom El-shouqafa )
The Catacombs (meaning underground tunnels) lie in the
district of Karmouz to the east of Alexandria. The area was called Kom
El-Shouqafa or a pile of shards.
The cemetery dates back to the 1st century A.D and was used until the 4th century A.D. It was discovered in 1900 when by pure chance, a donkey drawn cart fell into a pit, which led to the discovery.
The cemetery dates back to the 1st century A.D and was used until the 4th century A.D. It was discovered in 1900 when by pure chance, a donkey drawn cart fell into a pit, which led to the discovery.
The Catacombs in Alexandria are so called because the
design was very similar to the Christian Catacombs in Rome. Most likely
it was a private tomb, later converted to a public cemetery. It
consists of 3 levels cut into the rock, a staircase, a rotunda, the
triclinium or banquette hall, a vestibule, an antechamber and the burial
chamber with three recesses in it; in each recess there is a
sarcophagus. The Catacombs also contain a large number of Luculi or
grooves cut in the rock.
After decreasing the level of the subsoil water in 1995 the 2nd level
was opened to visitors, but the lowest level is still submerged. The
entrance leads to a spiral staircase of 99 steps that goes around a
shaft, which was used to lower the body of the deceased, by means of
ropes, to prevent any damages to it. Some slits were cut into the sides
of the shaft to allow the daylight through to the staircase that was
used by the visitors. The staircase leads to a vestibule with two niches
on both sides. The top of each niche is in the shape of a shell, while
the inferior part contains a half round bench, cut into the rock, which
was used by the visitors to take some rest after descending the stairs
of the tomb.
The vestibule leads to a circular hall called the
"rotunda". In the centre of this hall a shaft was cut leading to the 2nd
storey of the tomb and surrounded by a small enclosure wall called the
"parapet", on top of which is a dome, supported by 6 pillars. Between
the pillars there were some figures of human heads, some of which were
discovered and transferred to the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria. To
the left of the rotunda, is a vestibule, which leads to a chamber, which
was also cut into the rock. Its ceiling is supported by 4 pillars, and
it contains 3 benches, again cut in the rock, and takes the shape of the
letter U. This chamber was called the "Triclinium". Most probably, the
room was dedicated for visitors, where they would have dined.
Before accessing the main chamber there are 2 corridors, one in the east and the other in the west, each one leading to a large number of Luculi. After you descend to the hall that passes the Rotunda there is a small hall in front. In this vestibule, we see to the east a statue of a man inside a niche; while to the west there is a statue of a woman inside a niche. Both statues were sculpted in the Egyptian way, with some features of Greek art. 2 composite columns, containing a mixture of Egyptian and Greco-Roman elements, support the façade of this hall. Among the Egyptian elements; is the winged sun disk, the Falcon God Horus and the Uraeaus or the cobra, while the Greco-Roman elements are represented in the pediment, at top of the chamber.
Before accessing the main chamber there are 2 corridors, one in the east and the other in the west, each one leading to a large number of Luculi. After you descend to the hall that passes the Rotunda there is a small hall in front. In this vestibule, we see to the east a statue of a man inside a niche; while to the west there is a statue of a woman inside a niche. Both statues were sculpted in the Egyptian way, with some features of Greek art. 2 composite columns, containing a mixture of Egyptian and Greco-Roman elements, support the façade of this hall. Among the Egyptian elements; is the winged sun disk, the Falcon God Horus and the Uraeaus or the cobra, while the Greco-Roman elements are represented in the pediment, at top of the chamber.
The façade of the main burial chamber is decorated
with some Greek elements, such as the shield of the Goddess Athena, on
top of which is the head of Medusa, and as we know, according to the
ancient Greek myths, Medusa was able to petrify anyone who looked into
her eyes. The representation of Medusa here was to protect the tomb.
Under Medusa is a huge serpent with a double crown. Once we enter the burial chamber, which was completely cut into the rock, we see 3 large recesses, each one containing a sarcophagus. The burial chamber has a vaulted roof supported by 4 square pillars whose capitals take the shape of Papyrus.
Under Medusa is a huge serpent with a double crown. Once we enter the burial chamber, which was completely cut into the rock, we see 3 large recesses, each one containing a sarcophagus. The burial chamber has a vaulted roof supported by 4 square pillars whose capitals take the shape of Papyrus.
The sarcophagus and its lid are cut completely from one
block of rock. The body of the deceased was placed into the sarcophagus
through an opening in the back wall, and then it was blocked after
burying the body with stones. The sarcophagus is decorated with flowers,
the head of Medusa, god Dionysus and other mythical gods. There is a
representation of the deceased in a lying position. The most important
scene on the front wall above the sarcophagus represents a mummy lying
on a funerary bed.
Next to this bed, the God Anubis is holding in his
left hand a jar; it is supposed to contain some liquids that were used
during mummification, while his right hand is touching the mummy. God
Anubis is wearing a Roman dress and on top of his head there is the sun
disk with a cobra on each side.
Underneath the table there is a representation of the three canopic jars for the viscera; originally there were supposed to be four jars, which represented the 4 sons of Horus; Habi, Amasty, Dwamoutf, and Qbh-snwf. Most likely the artist did not find enough space to represent the 4th jar "Dwamoutf", which take the shape of a jackal or Anubis, because the body of Anubis is occupying this space. Anubis in this case represents the two gods.
Underneath the table there is a representation of the three canopic jars for the viscera; originally there were supposed to be four jars, which represented the 4 sons of Horus; Habi, Amasty, Dwamoutf, and Qbh-snwf. Most likely the artist did not find enough space to represent the 4th jar "Dwamoutf", which take the shape of a jackal or Anubis, because the body of Anubis is occupying this space. Anubis in this case represents the two gods.
Next to this, the God Thut, the Egyptian God of
knowledge and wisdom, is standing wearing the double crown, holding the
sceptre with one hand and a jar with the other. Near the end of the lion
shaped table, the God Horus is standing wearing the double crown of
Upper and Lower Egypt. The remaining scenes represent a lady standing;
above her head there is a sun disk and she is raising her hands in the
prayer position. In front of the lady is a priest, wearing a long
garment, giving the lotus flower, and a jar, to the lady.
The right recess of the burial chamber contains nearly
the same design and elements. It contains a sarcophagus with the same
decorations. The most important scene on the right recess represents a
figure of an Emperor or a ruler who is wearing a short kilt. He is
putting the double crown on his head, holding a necklace with both
hands, presenting it to the sacred bull Serapis. Behind Serapis, is a
Goddess stretching her wings, maybe representing the Goddess Isis.
There is another scene representing a mummy holding a big sceptre with the God Anubis standing in front of her. There is also a representation of an altar between Anubis and the mummy, from which incense smoke is rising. There is also a scene depicting an Emperor, who is offering the feather of Maat to a God, probably Petah (or Ptah). Between them there is an altar, which takes the shape of the lotus flower.
There is another scene representing a mummy holding a big sceptre with the God Anubis standing in front of her. There is also a representation of an altar between Anubis and the mummy, from which incense smoke is rising. There is also a scene depicting an Emperor, who is offering the feather of Maat to a God, probably Petah (or Ptah). Between them there is an altar, which takes the shape of the lotus flower.
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