Underground Catacombs Of Alexandria: Ancient Time Capsule Which Remained Hidden For Almost Two Millennia

A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - The catacombs of Alexandria - one of the best-preserved Alexandrian complexes are the largest burial site dating back to the Greco-Roman period in Egypt.

Entrance of the principal tomb chamber. Credit: Clemens Schmillen - CC BY-SA 4.0

They are situated in the vicinity of Pompey's Pillar, a Roman triumphal column, and represent the largest of its type of construction that can be found outside of Rome and Constantinople.

The catacombs (Kom El Shuqafa, which means hill of treasures) were discovered accidentally at the beginning of the 20th century when one day, a donkey-drawn cart fell into a pit, which led to this crucial historical discovery.

The old place, dating back to the 2nd century AD, is fascinating because its architecture and decorative art have been influenced by Roman, Hellenistic, Pharaonic, and ancient Egyptian art.

The underground structure is like a time capsule, which remained hidden and undisturbed for almost two millennia.

Credit: Clemens Schmillen - CC BY-SA 4.0

The cemetery - underground tunnels dug inside the rock to a depth of 35 meters (115 feet) - consists of three levels, all located underground. Still, the lowest level of the catacombs suffered due to the flooding, which took place in the area, so it is now inaccessible.

Still, there are structures such as a spiral staircase of 99 steps, a shaft to lower the deceased's body using ropes, a dome, a banquette hall, and a vestibule with two shell-shaped niches. In one alcove to the east is a statue of a man, and to the west, there is a statue of a woman.

Decorated sarcophagus and panel with Apus-bull. Credit: Clemens Schmillen - CC BY-SA 4.0

Both statues were sculpted with the influence of Egyptian art, with some Greek features.

In the vestibule, there is an antechamber and a burial chamber with three recesses. In each of them, there is a coffin.

Other elements from mingling cultures are the winged sun disk, the Falcon God Horus, the Uraeus, or the cobra.

Central panel with Anubis mummifying a body. Credit: Clemens Schmillen - CC BY-SA 4.0

The cemetery consists of statues, human heads, Alexandrian tombs, and Pharaonic funeral cult archaeological objects strongly influenced by the Hellenistic and early Imperial Roman periods.

The catacombs were used for the last time in the 4th century AD.

Alexandria was initially established by Alexander the Great, the most famous Greek King and army leader, in 332 BC. It soon became the cultural and commercial center of the Mediterranean Sea region.

The Catacombs of Alexandria are the result of the mingling of the Greek and the Pharaonic cultures that lived side by side. At first, these were private tombs, which later became public burial places.

Written by – A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

Updated on February 12, 2023

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