tomb

A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It can be a chamber, vault, or building in which the body is interred or cremated remains are stored. Tombs range from simple graves marked by a stone to elaborate monumental structures designed to honor the deceased. The word tomb derives from Old French tombe, from Latin tumba, meaning a burial mound or tomb.

Across cultures, tombs take many forms, including underground crypts, stone mausoleums, rock-cut tombs, tumuli (mounds), and catacombs. In ancient Egypt, royal tombs were placed in pyramid complexes. In classical antiquity, tombs could be monumental sculptures and inscriptions. In medieval and early modern Europe, tombs and cenotaphs expressed social status, often featuring effigies and epitaphs.

Construction and features vary by period and culture. Common materials include stone, brick, and concrete. Architectural elements may include vaults, domes, and façades; interiors often contain sarcophagi, coffins, burial niches, and decorative inscriptions or reliefs intended to commemorate the deceased.

Cultural and religious significance is central to tomb design. Tombs reflect beliefs about death and the afterlife, and they frequently serve as sites of memory, pilgrimage, and family lineage. They may function as public monuments or private family crypts and are often subject to legal protections, preservation efforts, and archaeological study to balance reverence with historical interpretation.

Notable types include mausoleums, pyramid tombs, crypts, catacombs, and cenotaphs. Modern burial practices continue to adapt, while tombs remain tangible expressions of memory, heritage, and cultural identity.