Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages, the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are a cemetery with various Alexandrian tombs, statues, and artefacts. The ancient archaeological site is located in Alexandria, Egypt, and was built with Roman, Egyptian, and Greek influences. The Hall of Caracalla, which contains human and animal bones, is what makes the location famous.

A spiral staircase provides entry to the necropolis maze of tunnels and rooms spanning several stories. Temple motifs are used to embellish the main burial chamber. Families of the deceased sat and gathered in the feasting chambers. Kom el Shoqafa meaning mound of shards, refers to the tradition of breaking the terracotta jars, plates, and objects in which food and wine were brought as offerings to the dead. Before it was discovered in 1900, the structure served as a burial chamber during the second and fourth centuries. Archaeological findings suggest that the Catacombs date back to around the 2nd century AD and are located at a depth of 100 feet underground.