sanisera fieldschool 2010, session 4: christian catacombs, by lisa griffith
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Christian Catacombs
By Lisa GriffithSession 4, 2010
![Page 2: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Similarities: Pagan and Early Christian Burials
• Early Christian funeral structures evolved from Roman pagan funerary architecture– Both rituals required a burial place and a place for memorial services– Funeral banquet
• Standard architectural elements for both Roman and early Christian burials were:– Clearly identified tomb – occasionally with a table top– For the banquet either a tomb chamber with mourners’ benches or
couches, or a separate room
![Page 3: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
• Roman pagans favored burial in family groups regardless of religious belief– Christians, by 200AD required burial apart from pagans
• Roman lower classes were generally cremated and remains were placed in a columbaria– Christians did not believe in cremation and needed an inexpensive
alternative since most were not wealthy
• Burial location had to accommodate large Christian congregations– Above-ground cemeteries– Underground catacombs
Differences: Pagan and Early Christian Burials
![Page 4: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Catacombs
• First built in late 200s, early 300s AD– In areas where property values above ground were high– Soft rock for low labor costs
• Only built in Sicily, North Africa, Naples and Rome• Abandoned after late 500s, early 600s AD – Land values collapsed and labor force decreased due to
political and economic catastrophes
![Page 5: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 6: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 7: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 8: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 9: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 10: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 11: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 12: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University
![Page 13: Sanisera Fieldschool 2010, session 4: Christian Catacombs, by Lisa Griffith](https://reader035.vdocuments.us/reader035/viewer/2022062319/5562a3f2d8b42a7c4a8b4acc/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
From class lecture by Prof. Nicola Denzey, Harvard University