Subterranean Rome

This slim volume is both an illustrated guide to catacomb archaeology, from Antonio Bosio in the 16th century to Giovanni Battista de Rossi in the 19th century, and more recent excavators; and a discussion of the original function of the catacombs, as a response to the 2nd-century preference for inhumation burial with all the problems of space this created. Inscriptions, sarcophagus reliefs, wall paintings and sculpture are all included along with practical details for visitors.