The Ministry of Antiquities announced starting restoration work in the area of Kom El Shoqafa, Alexandria, within a few days, aiming to turn it into an open museum, according to state-owned media outlet EgyNews. The area holds historical importance due to its catacombs which are considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World. The site also contains several remains from the Greek and Roman eras. Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that the ministry will assign a committee in order to plan and rearrange the display of the artefacts restored in Kom El Shoqafa. The open museum will be divided into four sections. The first will be dedicated to funeral architecture and is planned to contain 34 tombs with detailed signs revealing the description and era of each of them. The restoration will also include opening abandoned cemeteries in the area. The second part of the museum will be dedicated to religious architecture where several statues are to be displayed including those of sphinx figures. The third part will display civil architecture, specifically the remains of unearthed structures including building columns. The fourth extension will be dedicated to artefacts the committee expects to be discovered throughout the restoration process. The restoration of Kom El Shoqafa is a part of the ministry's latest plans in renovating abandoned archaeological sites seeking to direct more attention to them. Earlier this week, the ministry discovered a granite stele for King Ramses II in Tanis city during similar renovation work in the city.
