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Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, also known as the Mound of Shards, is estimated to be 1,900 years old. It is a 3 level catacomb carved out of solid rock, and is one of the few remaining catacombs in Egypt. It was found near the location of a temple to Serapis by a donkey. Wait, a donkey? Believe it or not, it fell into the hole leading to the access well. You enter by means of a staircase; it is also where the bodies would have been lowed down by rope. To your left, there is the funeral banquet hall, where friends and family of the deceased would eat. In this room there were stone couches covered with cushions. The second level down is filled with sculptures: lotus, leaves, falcons, as well as a man and woman, all of which are carved in pillars and wall niches. Three sarcophagi are on the chamber’s sides. The bottom level contains another set of tombs called the Hall of Carcalla. The bones of horses, as well as humans, are here.
Author: Wonder Club Name of website: Wonder Club Page or article title: The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa Date of posting/revision: August 30, 2000 Name of company/institution affiliated with the website: Date you visited the site: February 2, 2008 Website address: http://wonderclub.com/WorldWonders/CatacombsHistory.html |
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