Dara Necropolis
Dara ’22
Like all classical Roman cities, Dara had the necropolis built just outside the city walls, close enough that they could be easily visited by family but far enough that they didn't get in the way of the defense. By late Roman times Christianity was undermining the strict division between the city of the living and that of the dead (the literal meaning of necropolis) but only privileged Christians received burial in the churchyard. Like other near eastern cities, Dara's necropolis is carved into the nearest cliffside. You can see similar examples in Urfa, Seleucia, Petra, and of course the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
What's interesting here is that you can see further examples of stonecarving like in the mines just next door. At a guess, I'd say this place was originally a mine producing stones for the walls when the village was abruptly fortified in 505 and only afterwards was it converted into a necropolis for the new city.
Dara Necropolis
Dara ’22
Like all classical Roman cities, Dara had the necropolis built just outside the city walls, close enough that they could be easily visited by family but far enough that they didn't get in the way of the defense. By late Roman times Christianity was undermining the strict division between the city of the living and that of the dead (the literal meaning of necropolis) but only privileged Christians received burial in the churchyard. Like other near eastern cities, Dara's necropolis is carved into the nearest cliffside. You can see similar examples in Urfa, Seleucia, Petra, and of course the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.
What's interesting here is that you can see further examples of stonecarving like in the mines just next door. At a guess, I'd say this place was originally a mine producing stones for the walls when the village was abruptly fortified in 505 and only afterwards was it converted into a necropolis for the new city.