Roman+Catacombs

**Catacombs of Rome** **History** The first large catacombs were excavated during the 2nd century. The catacombs were originally carved in tufo, a soft volcanic rock, outside the city because the Romans had a law that said they could not have burial places inside the city limits. The early Jews and Christians used them to bury their corpses. The people from lower classes and slaves, usually couldn't pay for land to bury their dead. At first they were used for burial places, memorial services and the celebration of the Christian martyrs. On 380 Christianity became an official religion, because of that the use of the catacombs declined slowly, and the catacombs were replaced by church cementeries. At the 6th century the catacombs were used only for the martyrs memorials' services, but some paintings were still added during the 7th century like a St.Stephen in the Catacomb of Comodilla. Between the 7th and final years of the 9th century vandals sacked the catacombs looking for valuable items. In the 10th century the holy relics were transportated to basilicas.

In 1578 the catacombs were rediscovered. Then Antonio Bosio explored the catacombs to write a novel. The archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi made the first extensive report about the Roman catacombs. During the years 1956 and 1959 the Romans discovered more catacombs near Rome. The catacombs are now important monuments for the Christian church. Characteristics Before 4000 A.D it had vast systems of galleries and passages on top of each other. They are seven to ninteen meters below the surface in an area of more tan 2.4 square Km. Narrow steps descend four stories. Passages are about 2.5 by 1 meters wide. They have drawings on the walls. There are underground burial places under or near Rome, Italy. The walls of Rome were used as a burial for early Christians as well as pagans. They were built along Roman roads.When space began to run out, other graves were also dug in the floor of the corridors.

Renovations and changes Currently maintenance of the catacombs is in the hands of the Papacy which has invested in the Salesians of Don Bosco the supervision of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus on the outskirts of Rome. Responsibility for the Christian catacombs lies with the Pontifical Comission of Sacred Archeology, which directs excavations and restorations. Study of the catacombs is directed by the Pontifical Academy of Archeology.

Floor Plan

Illustrations


 * Catacombs of San Sebastiano Christ with a beard on the Catacombs of Roman Catacomb**
 * Comodilla**


 * Catacomb of Domitilla, Rome Catacomb of San Callisto,Rome**

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Names Stephan Tible, Ismar Martinez, Diego de Leon