Monumental Tomb 3

Monumental Tomb 3

View of the interior of the monumental tomb of Publius Varus that was constructed around the first century B.C.

Note the benches along three of its walls.  There people could gather to commemorate the memory of the deceased.

The tomb was built of the local andesite stone. The tomb is located just to the left of the Western Gate in a very prominent position!

See this artistic reconstruction of the tomb.  For the roofline, compare the "Tomb of Absalom" in the Kidron Valley in Jerusalem!  Note also (on the plan) the interior of the tomb—there is no burial chamber but benches along three walls and a courtyard in front of the chamber.