Villa Torlonia Catacombs
The Villa Torlonia Catacombs are ancient Jewish underground cemeteries discovered in the grounds of the Villa Torlonia in Rome in 1918. Excavations continued until 1930.[1]
The complex had two different entrances, one facing via Siracusa and another inside the villa itself. It stretches over more than 13.000 m² and contains over 100 inscriptions and frescoes of Jewish symbols. They are not open to the public due to their instability and the presence of toxic gases such as radon, helium and carbon dioxide.
The University of Utrecht has radiocarbon dated wood from the stucco covering many of the tombs to place the complex's construction between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE, thus predating Christian use of this burial method. They may also hypothetically have been used until the 5th century CE.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ (in Italian) Marisa Ranieri Panetta, Ecco le catacombe del Duce, L'Espresso, 4 May 2000
- ^ "Layout and Design of Jewish Catacombs in Rome: The Villa Torlonia Catacombs".
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