Tomb complex in the compound of St. Étienne

$6.00

Description

Two large burial complexes are located in the grounds of the Dominican Monastery of St. Étienne (St. Stephen), which also houses the famous École Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jerusalem.
The reconstruction drawing shows the largest of the two. The burial complex has a large central chamber with eight burial chambers arranged around it. Seven of the eight chambers have three benches, which served as resting places for the deceased. Repository caves were hollowed out where bones and burial gifts were placed once the benches were needed for the next members of the family.
The tomb probably dates from the 8th century BC.