Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa



Introduction
                The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa have been categorized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World. They are comparable to the pyramids in awe inspiring quality, but since they are mostly underground, they are not nearly as well known. However, they are a complex and interesting topic to study.
Name, Style, and History
                The name “Kom el Shoqafa” can be literally translated as “Mound of Shards” or “Potsherds.” It was called this because the entire area was a necropolis. A necropolis is a large, ancient cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. Kom el Shoqafa stood in the vicinity of a major necropolis outside western Alexandria, Egypt. It was given its name because the area had previously featured a large mound of terra cotta shards, mostly from jars. These had been smashed by the families of dead people who brought them with food or liquids to the area, but did not want to take home containers brought to a place of death.
                The Alexandrian tombs of the area, including this catacomb, were filled with statues and various archaeological objects. The Catacomb of Kom el Shoqafa had primarily Hellenistic and early Imperial Roman influences. Some parts of it merged Roman, Greek, and Egyptian design. For example, some statues were carved in an Egyptian style, but wearing Roman clothing. 
                The builders of the catacombs built it in either the late first century AD or the early second century. It was used consistently for burials from the second to the fourth centuries. The catacombs were tunneled down into bedrock for approximately 100 feet. At first, the tomb was built for only one family, but eventually it was expanded to hold many more bodies. The precise reasoning for this is not known, but it is possible that a corporation of sorts bought it and the members paid regular dues. It is logical to assume that as a return for these dues, they would be buried in the catacombs upon their deaths. One cult was especially involved in these types of burial. Mentioned only as the Pharaoh Cult in the sources encountered, they believed in re-birth. Hence, the bodies had to be preserved to make this re-birth possible.
Description of the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
                One of the most interesting features of the catacombs was a circular staircase. Imagine the classic tower from princess fairy tales. If this staircase was part of one of those towers, however, it wouldn’t on the inside – it would trace around the outside. There were 99 steps. The hollowed center of the staircase was possibly used for lowering bodies into the catacombs with a rope and pulley system. It consisted within the catacombs as a six-pillared shaft that was 18 feet wide.
                The catacombs had three levels. Each of them was cut through solid rock. The third level is now filled with water and infiltrated, because of the water, with sand. However, the other levels can be toured by the modern tourist.
                Within the second level, three sarcophagi were found. The sarcophagi had un-removable covers. It is believed that bodies were inserted into them from the hallway behind. They were decorated with flowers, gods, and various scenes. The hallway surrounding the central burial chamber had 91” deep walls. These walls were carved with a total of 91 niches, or wall sarcophagi. Each of these, in turn, could hold three mummies. 
                The second level could be accessed by a stone staircase. It had a lobby with two pillars that were beautifully carved. The first level included a triclinium, also known as a funeral banquet hall. The table is surrounded by stone benches that, when the hall was used, were covered with cushions to provide comfort for the family and friends.
                It is thought that there was probably a funerary chapel on the surface, but any trace of it has long since disappeared. However, it is sensible to assume that any funeral held in the catacombs would have been an impressive event, probably only attended by the rich.
Discovery
                The catacombs fell into disuse after the fourth century AD. Eventually, their location was forgotten, and they were lost. Yet the legend remained, and in 1892, archaeologists began to search for the tombs once again.
                They were found on September 28, 1900 – by accident. The exact way is debated. The most likely way is man named Said Ali Jibarah[1] who was quarrying and accidentally broke into the catacombs. However, the popularly accepted story (that is likely a myth) is that a donkey fell into the access shaft. Whether or not this donkey lived is never mentioned.
                The tombs were not open publicly at the time, however. In fact, it was not until 1995 that they opened to the general people. Sub soil water had to be pumped from level two as well. Level three remains mostly under water to this day. 
 Conclusion
                The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are an impressive nod to man’s ingenuity, and are not nearly as well-known as they should be. They truly deserve to be one of the Wonders of the Medieval World.


[1] Or Es-Sayed Aly Gibarah, according to another source.

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