Necropolis and adjacent areas outside the city walls--page 2 (of two pages)

various dates



Arcosolium style tombs

Scholars date these tombs as later than the columbaria because in the Empire cremation was less popular. This architectural term comes from the Latin "arcus" for "arch" and solium for "a sarcophagus" and refers to an arched recess where the wrapped corpse was placed.
 

A columbarium with niches for the vases containing human ashes

 

The so-called Tomb of the Archetti (or Tomb of the Small Arches)

This tomb dates from the first half of the first century CE. The facade has six blind arcades, framed by brick pilasters. The arch top is decorated with a brick and tufa design, with some of the original color remaining.
 

The so-called Tomb of the Archetti (or Tomb of the Small Arches)

This tomb was obviously a columbarium.
 

Center: Tomb with remaining inscription MHN and right: lintel of tomb without an inscription

According to the official guidebook, these letters form the abbreviated sentence: "H(oc) M(onumentum) H(aedes) N(on) S(equetur)= the heirs will not have this monument" (65).
 

The Tomb of the Colombari Gemelli, about 50 CE

The name derives from the fact that the two sides are symmetrical. (Gemelli is the Italian for "twins.") Two stairwells led upstairs.
 


Work cited: Sonia Gallico. A Guide to the Excavations of Ostia Antica. Roma: Ats Italia Editrice, 2000.

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© 2007 Mary Ann Sullivan. I have photographed (on site), scanned, and manipulated all the images on these pages. Please feel free to use them for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes.