This is an old revision of this page, as edited by MaybeItsBecauseImALondoner (talk | contribs) at 22:46, 6 January 2025 (Translation of it:Catacombe di Villa Torlonia). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 22:46, 6 January 2025 by MaybeItsBecauseImALondoner (talk | contribs) (Translation of it:Catacombe di Villa Torlonia)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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.
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.
A carbon-14 method study by the University of Utrecht of wood from the stucco covering many of the tombs places 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.<ref"Layout and Design of Jewish Catacombs in Rome: The Villa Torlonia Catacombs".</ref>
References
- (in Italian) Marisa Ranieri Panetta, Ecco le catacombe del Duce, L'Espresso, 4 May 2000