In 1900, a donkey accidentally fell through the ground in Alexandria, Egypt—leading to one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the Middle Ages: the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. This underground burial site, located about 35 meters (115 feet) below the surface, is the largest known Roman necropolis in Egypt.
Blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles, the catacombs are filled with carvings, statues, and symbolic artwork—including the Egyptian god Anubis dressed as a Roman soldier. Used between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE, the site includes tombs, chambers, and even a dining hall where families once held funeral feasts.
Though parts remain underwater and unexplored, the catacombs continue to fascinate historians and visitors with their unique mix of cultures and mysterious history.
The discovery of the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa stands as one of archeology's most unexpected finds in recent history. This underground wonder lay hidden beneath Alexandria's streets for centuries, and might have stayed that way if not for a chance event at the start of the 20th century.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa were discovered by accident in 1900 when Said Ali Jibarah, a local stoneworker in Alexandria, broke into a hidden tomb. Archaeologists soon uncovered a vast underground burial site that had remained untouched since the 4th century CE, preserving its unique mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles.
"Kom El Shoqafa" means "Mound of Shards" in Arabic, named after piles of broken pottery found near the site. In ancient times, visitors brought food and drink in clay pots for funeral rituals, then broke them before leaving, believing it was bad luck to take them home from a burial place
The catacombs were originally built as a private tomb for a wealthy family in Alexandria. Between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE, they expanded to hold around 300 burials, eventually becoming a public cemetery that reflected the city's diverse population.
A journey down into the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa reveals an architectural marvel carved from Alexandria's bedrock. This underground necropolis beautifully blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences throughout its chambers and passages.
The journey begins with a wide spiral staircase, carved deep into the earth—its Roman design guiding visitors gently downward. At the heart lies the rotunda, a beautifully crafted circular chamber with a domed ceiling, six elegant columns, and vivid red geometric patterns. This space acts as the catacombs' central hub, leading to the hidden tombs and chambers beyond
The catacombs descend 35 meters underground, spread across three levels carved with remarkable precision. While the lowest level is submerged, the upper levels reveal a funeral hall, intricate tomb chambers, and rock-cut niches designed to hold mummies—offering a glimpse into ancient burial traditions.
Next to the rotunda stands the triclinium—a Roman-style banquet hall measuring 9 meters wide and 8.5 meters long. Stone couches line this rectangular room in a U-shape where families would gather for funeral feasts.
The triclinium stands out as one of the catacomb's most decorated areas. Mourners would bring food and wine during commemorative visits. They would break their pottery vessels before leaving since taking them from a place of death brought bad luck.
A breach in the outer rotunda wall leads to the Hall of Caracalla. This chamber got its name from a dark chapter in history—it served as a mass grave for people killed under Emperor Caracalla's orders in 215 AD.
Archeologists found many human and animal remains in this hall. The chamber also had bones of horses used in Roman gladiatorial games, which tells us about ancient entertainment and its links to burial practices.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa stand out because of their unique fusion of cultural elements. This underground necropolis serves as evidence of three great ancient civilizations coming together, making it a visual encyclopedia of Alexandria's multicultural society during the Ptolemaic and early Roman periods.
The catacombs in Alexandria display a remarkable blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman art and architecture, reflecting the city’s cosmopolitan nature. This fusion is evident in both large architectural elements and fine decorative details. For instance, the tomb entrance features a temple-like façade with columns topped by a mix of Egyptian papyrus, lotus, and Greek acanthus leaves, crowned by an Egyptian winged sun-disk with Horus falcons. Artisans skillfully combined these diverse traditions to create a unique design that continues to captivate visitors exploring Egypt tours focused on Alexandria’s ancient wonders.
The hybrid deity representations are the sort of thing I love about cultural fusion. Greek good spirits called Agathodaemons appear as snakes on both sides of the inner tomb entrance. These serpents wear the Roman Caduceus and Greek Thyrsus, along with Egypt's double crown (Pschent). This creates a perfect picture of Alexandria's multicultural identity. The central panel shows something even more remarkable - Anubis, Egypt's jackal-headed god of mummification, dressed as a Roman legionary with armor, spear, and shield. This image perfectly captures Alexandria's cultural mixing in the 2nd century AD.
The main burial chamber holds three large stone sarcophagi decorated in Roman style with elements like garlands and gorgon heads, blending Roman and Egyptian burial traditions. Each sarcophagus features non-removable lids and carvings of both Greek and Egyptian gods. The walls also have loculi—rectangular niches for mummies—demonstrating how Alexandrians combined respect for the dead with diverse cultural burial practices.
The Persephone Tombs display cultural fusion through mythological scenes: the upper register shows Egyptian Osiris’s mummification, while the lower depicts the Greek myth of Persephone’s abduction. Both share the theme of death and resurrection, combining formal Egyptian style with Hellenistic Greek naturalism, reflecting Alexandria’s blended religious traditions.
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa remain a puzzle to archeologists and historians. Many aspects of this ancient burial site still defy explanation, making it unique among Egypt's archeological treasures.
A fascinating mystery surrounds how these catacombs grew over time. Built initially for one wealthy family, experts can't explain why the site expanded to fit about 300 more burials. This major growth between the 2nd and 4th centuries CE raises questions about Alexandria's changing burial customs and who controlled this elaborate necropolis.
The catacombs evolved from a family tomb to a burial site for diverse people in Alexandria’s Greco-Roman society. The triclinium banquet hall was used for funeral ceremonies, and animal remains in the Hall of Caracalla hint at connections to gladiatorial games or sacrifices.
The biggest physical mystery exists in the catacomb's bottom level, which stays completely underwater and out of reach. Groundwater from nearby farmland and a canal, along with sewage seepage, has stymied archeological work. Water marks on the walls show past flooding, which suggests parts of the site went underwater many times throughout history. Nobody knows what treasures or information might hide in these unexplored chambers.
The catacombs stand out because they have almost no inscriptions or identifying marks. While most ancient Egyptian tombs overflow with hieroglyphics and cartouches, Kom El Shoqafa gives few written clues about who lived there or its purpose. Archeologists must rely only on architecture and art to piece together the site's story. Ancient texts never mention these catacombs, leaving their original name and importance open to speculation.