First Century Tomb 1

View into the interior of a typical first century A.D. tomb.  This tomb is located on the grounds of Dominus Flevit, which is situated on the upper western slope of the Mount of Olives.

The entrance to the tomb is at the lower right edge of the photo. There are the remains of two large steps down into the tomb. The floor of the tomb fills the lower portion of the image. Unfortunately fallen debris have filled in the "floor" of the tomb.  Under the debris (not visible)  there is a slightly raised "bench." 

Note the three niches in the far wall.  Bodies were placed in these niches, which were then sealed. After a year or so, the bones of the deceased were removed and placed in special boxes called ossuaries. Over 1,500 ossuaries have been found in tombs - mainly from the Jerusalem area.

For an example of a first century A.D. tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher click here.