A Whimsical Tale Beneath the Sands: The Enigma of the Mound of Shards,

Deep beneath the sands of Alexandria, in a forgotten corner of history, slumbers a dreamy wonder - the Mound of Shards, Kom El Shoqafa. This labyrinthine journey through the catacombs weaves together the tapestry of Greece, Egypt, and Rome, within an ancient necropolis. Unearthed only in 1900, this ethereal marvel was once revered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages, designed to cradle a single family yet embracing many more. The necropolis unfolds, like pages of a forgotten book, with tombs, statues, and archaeological treasures, each whispering its own tale.

Each level unmasks a layer of history. The Triclinium, the first level, is a funeral banquet hall, elegantly adorned with stone couches, where friends and family would gather, feasting by candlelight. The second level introduces the Hall of Caracalla, created in 215 CE, and housing the bones of the horses of the illustrious Emperor Caracalla. The third level, initially crafted for the family, was later expanded to accommodate more remains, though the reasons continue to whisper secrets.

The catacombs were christened Kom El Shoqafa, meaning Mound of Shards, because the area once housed a mountain of terra cotta shards, mostly broken jars and clay objects left by visitors, who would consume food and wine but not carry the containers home, leaving them here in eternal rest. The entrance is guarded by figures carved into the walls – a man and a woman, each protected by mythical creatures. The man's pose mirrors ancient Egyptian sculpture, while the woman's form echoes classic Hellenic forms.

Her hairstyle is reminiscent of Rome, while his has a touch of Egypt. The woman's beauty is unparalleled, her spirit eternal, her story a tale as old as time.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons