Explaining Sarcophagi
This young woman was one of our tour guides. She's pointing to a sarcophagus on display in the museum. The sign beside it reads:
Starting in the second century CE, both Christian and pagan Romans buried their dead in a stone coffin called a sarcophagus. A sarcophagus was usually carved with decorations and images of the deceased. Often the back was left uncarved because the sarcophagus would be placed against the wall of a tomb. Though Christians borrowed pagan designs for their carcophagi, the designs were reinterpreted to symbolize new Christian concepts.
Explaining Sarcophagi
This young woman was one of our tour guides. She's pointing to a sarcophagus on display in the museum. The sign beside it reads:
Starting in the second century CE, both Christian and pagan Romans buried their dead in a stone coffin called a sarcophagus. A sarcophagus was usually carved with decorations and images of the deceased. Often the back was left uncarved because the sarcophagus would be placed against the wall of a tomb. Though Christians borrowed pagan designs for their carcophagi, the designs were reinterpreted to symbolize new Christian concepts.