European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 21, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Anti Iii Egypt intricate carvings of major gods protecting the Mummy stand Over a Tomb inside the catacombs. The of Al shut it f is \ a a a a a a. A. A a tombs considered country a most important burial grounds by Craig Martin it staff writer a trip to Alexandria would t be Complete without a visit to the catacombs. The catacombs of Komel Shurafa Cho Faga Date from Between the second Century . And second Century ., depending on whom you believe. The catacombs were discovered in 1900  Are considered the most important burial grounds in Egypt. They Are u Nique both for their plan  decoration. The tombs which Are three stories High  connected by a winding 99-step staircase show a mingling of egyptian  Greco roman styles typical of Alexandria. The rooms Are meticulously Hen out of solid Rock. They also contain Many Limestone statues  intricate in Ayed carvings of people  animals. The dead were lowered through a Shaft 99 feet deep into these catacombs. More than 300 skeletons have been found there including one of a Donkey that was dated to As recent As 1800. Upon entering the catacombs visitors first come upon a spiral staircase in a Large circular Light Shaft  then to a Rotunda with a Shaft leading to the lower stories  two niches containing Sarcophagi  shelf tombs. To the left is a room with pillars  benches that were Hen out of solid Rock. This functioned As a funeral  banquet Hall where the relatives  friends of the dead could meet on special occasions the relatives  friends could put mattresses on the benches  recline while eating. Steps Lead from Here Down to an egyptian style Vestibule with niches that contain Limestone statues of a Man  a women in egyptian dress. The burial Chapel has three niches containing Sarcophagi guarded by the dog headed of anubis  a figure with the dog s Ead atop a Snake s body carvings in the Central Niche depict three people performing their offices at the Bier. The dead Man prays while priests read funerary texts  make offerings to Isis. In the galleries around the burial Chapel Are 91 shelf tombs in two tiers each Large enough to accommodate three or four mummies. Some of the lids Bear the name of the deceased. In Caracalla malt there Are four painted tombs each with a sarcophagus. Bones of youngsters  horses were found there. The human Bones were said to be the remains of the emperor s revenge on the Oung men of Alexandria who insulted in in  215, White the horse Bones supposedly belong to the steeds that won races  were buried under the Protection of Nemesis the goddess of a sports h visitors Tine up inside the catacombs to View the carvings  tombs. Room inside the catacombs Are Hen out of solid Rock. The catacombs were discovered in 1900. Stripes Magazine january 2f, 1993