Inauguration of Ancient Shatby Cemetery in Alexandria Governorate

On behalf of Ahmed Eissa, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Ghada Shalaby, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Tourism Affairs, Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and Dr. Jacqueline Azer, Deputy Governor of Alexandria, inaugurated the project for the development and protection of the ancient Shatby cemetery, which was carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, implemented by the Alexandria Antiquities Association which was funded by A. c. A. G. Leventis CYP.

Dr. Mostafa Waziri expressed his delight at his presence Tuesday in the Shatby cemetery, the oldest ancient cemetery in Alexandria, stressing that the opening of the cemetery after its development will add great richness to the tourist map in Alexandria Governorate, especially in light of the recent discoveries that the work team succeeded in uncovering during the restoration work.

Dr. Waziri said that the work team was able, during the restoration work, to uncover the original entrance to the main cemetery which turned out to be located on the southern side of the grave land and not on the northern side as was known before.

The digital documentation of the site also resulted in reaching a modified architectural plan for the cemetery in light of recent discoveries. A three-dimensional model of the entire site was also made, in addition to the discovery of more than 300 archaeological finds, including the remains of human skeletons, a number of pots for keeping ashes known as the pots of Hadara, a miniature engraved votive altar, and an engraved road sign, and much local pottery was also revealed. Pottery is in a good state of preservation.

It should be noted that the El-Shatby necropolis was discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century by the archeologist, "Josie Botti," the first director of the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria.

The cemetery enjoys great historical and archaeological importance as it is the oldest cemetery in Alexandria, as it dates back to the end of the fourth century and the beginning of the third century BC.

The first generation of the city’s residents was buried there immediately after its establishment, as it includes the remains of those who built Alexandria who came to Egypt with Alexander the Great. Then Ptolemy, son of Lagos, the founder of the ruling Ptolemaic dynasty after the death of Alexander, took Alexandria as the capital of Egypt.

Translated by Ahmed Moamar