A Roman sarcophagus was a box-like funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved in stone although sometimes metal or plaster was used. Usually displayed above ground, most Roman examples were designed to be placed against a wall and are decorated on three of the sides only. Some were also buried. They were often elaborately carved, until the early Christian burial preference for interment underground, often in a limestone sepulchre, led to their falling out of favor.


Size: 5329px × 2753px
Location: Rome, Italy
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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