catacombs

Catacombs are subterranean passageways and burial chambers carved or excavated beneath the surface. They often function as ossuaries, with galleries and rooms lined by niches or shelves for interments and, after primary decomposition, for bone collections. While catacombs occur in several regions, they are commonly associated with the Roman world where soft rock and crowded cities made underground burial practical.

The term derives from Latin catacumba, from Greek katakómbos, and the earliest catacombs date from antiquity. In the Roman era, these underground networks were used by Christians and Jews for burials and worship, especially when above-ground burial space or public space was restricted.

Notable examples include the Catacombs of Rome, an extensive network of burial galleries; the Paris Catacombs, created in the 18th century to relieve cemetery overcrowding; and Kom el-Shoqafa in Alexandria, a Hellenistic-Roman tomb complex that blends Egyptian and Roman elements.

In addition, the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo preserve mummified remains in highly organized display, illustrating later practices of keeping and viewing the dead.

Today, many catacombs are protected as heritage sites; others are open for public tours, while some remain restricted for safety, conservation, or religious reasons. They are studied by archaeologists to illuminate burial practices, disease, social status, and urban life in past communities.