The catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa are considered one of the best archaeological sites in Alexandria. They were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century and are considered to be one of the largest Roman burial sites. These tombs were excavated in the Mother Rock at the time of Emperor Antoninus in the 2nd century A.D. These tombs represent the last major existing construction in the interest of the ancient Egyptian religion.
Historians agree that the catacombs were used until the end of the 4th century AD and were later abandoned. The discovery of this important historical site was accidental, a donkey fell into the main entrance of the tombs, more than 12 meters deep, on September 28, 1900 and attracted the attention of the archaeological mission, which had been working in the area since 1892.
Today, the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa are one of the main attractions of Alexandria. The entrance is via a spiral staircase 6 meters in diameter and a cylindrical water well about 10 meters deep. The underground complex consists of three layers of tombs and chambers that reach a depth of 35 meters.
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