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Vatican Opens Ancient Pagan Tomb

After a year of restoration, public sees necropolis gem

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2008 12:11 PM CDT
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(Newser) – After a year of restoration work, the Vatican has unveiled one of the most luxurious pagan tombs buried in the necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, the AP reports. Built by Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the second century, the once open-air tomb was buried by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century. Now, it’s been enclosed in glass, with its temperature and humidity strictly regulated for preservation.

Pagan tombs reopened by the Vatican - part of the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica - are seen after nearly a year of restoration work.
Pagan tombs reopened by the Vatican - part of the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica - are seen after nearly a year of restoration work.   (AP Photo/Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano, HO)
A partial section of the right-half of St. Peter's Basilica with the underlying grottoes where pagan tombs were reopened by the Vatican is seen in this illustration.
A partial section of the right-half of St. Peter's Basilica with the underlying grottoes where pagan tombs were reopened by the Vatican is seen in this illustration.   (AP Photo/Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano, HO)
Pagan tombs reopened by the Vatican - part of the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica - are seen after nearly a year of restoration work.
Pagan tombs reopened by the Vatican - part of the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica - are seen after nearly a year of restoration work.   (AP Photo/Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano, HO)
Pagan tombs reopened by the Vatican - part of the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica - are seen after nearly a year of restoration work.
Pagan tombs reopened by the Vatican - part of the largest and most luxurious of the pagan tombs in the necropolis under St. Peter's Basilica - are seen after nearly a year of restoration work.   (AP Photo/Fabbrica di San Pietro in Vaticano, HO)
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Vatican's largest pagan tomb revealed
Catholic News Agency

Tomb a key Roman monument
ADN Kronos

 
St. Peter's Basilica • archaeology • Rome • Vatican • pagan • necropolis

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