Built in the early 1st century AD, this tomb initially took the form of a funerary precinct in opus reticulatum. The north façade is particularly finely made, with architectural features in brick surmounted by arches: the lunettes are decorated with multi-coloured inlays in yellow and red brick, alternating with pieces of tufa and pumice stone. In the second half of the 1st century AD, the tomb was turned into a columbarium with niches for the cinerary urns along the walls. Starting from the 2nd century AD, larger niches were added for inhumation burials (arcosolia). During this final phase, a further two rooms connecting the tomb with Via dei Sepolcri were built, on a higher level than the original structure.
Detail of the little central arch
Façade of the tomb on Via dei Sepolcri
(O. Visca)
Detail of brick, pumice and tufa decorations from the Via Ostiensis necropolis
(I. Gismondi)
Drawing of the mosaic found in the tomb during the 1857 excavations
(C.L. Visconti)
Plan of the Tomb of the Arches, indicating the burials (I. Gismondi)
Detail of pumice and earthenware decoration of Via Laurentina Necropolis (Tomb no. 32)
Detail of the prospect with pumice and earthenware decoration of Tomb no. 9 from the Via Laurentina Necropolis (G. Pascolini)