Pseudosarcophagus slab with a cross and geometrical and vegetal decoration

myminifactory

Decorated stone sarcophagi stood proudly as focal points within niche tombs, representing a long-standing tradition in Early Christian and pagan burial practices throughout the Mediterranean world. This time-honored custom continued unabated in medieval Byzantium, where the deceased's body was eventually laid to rest beneath church flooring. The ornate sarcophagus, now empty of its corporeal contents, served as a poignant reminder of the deceased's presence nearby, forging a direct link with the earliest Christian burial rituals. Sarcophagi boasted an impressive array of motifs in relief carving, showcasing intricate floral and vegetal forms, geometric patterns, sacred narratives, and inscriptions that proudly declared the identity of the departed.