Canal tomb NIsola Sacra Menu

 MG 2671
Tomb N, looking northwest. On the right side the large entrance.

Tomb N is the most important and interesting tomb of the group. It was also the tomb where the excavation of these 'channel tombs' started in 1925.
Tomb N is entered from tomb M. It consists of a rectangular room of 6.33 x 1.71, and was highly decorated. On the floor was a white mosaic.
In the short "front" wall (to the right of the entrance) is an arcosolium, above which are five small niches in two rows.
In the long lateral wall opposite the entrance are three arcosolia, with above four large semicircular niches (starting at 1.18 from the floor; h. 1.10, w. 0.50). Between the large niches are two small niches, one above the other. In all of these niches urns have been found.

Tomb N, looking south-east.
In the large niches were, on a dark-red background, white stucco reliefs. The small niches had paintings with vegetative motifs on a white background.
In the short back wall is an arcosolium, above which are four niches in two rows and a small window.
The other lateral wall has no arcosolia or niches, but only the low door with travertine jambs and lintel, leading to the lower burial chamber of tomb O. 
On the left side the small door to the lower burial chamber of tomb O.
The walls of the tomb, painted yellow, are separated from the barrel vault by a white stucco cornice with griffins, that were attached to the cornice with iron pegs. On the vault are many compartments of different shapes and painted with different colours. Between the compartments are cornices of coloured stucco. In the compartments are paintings of vessels, garlands, birds, and geometric figures. One of the compartments is octagonal. On a red background a naked male figure can be seen, probably Hercules. In the corners of the vault are rectangular compartments, with white stucco reliefs on a dark-red background. The relief in the panel opposite the entrance is lost. At the other end of the lateral wall opposite the entrance the scene on the next page was found. 

 

 
Back to introduction Canal Tombs
  • Sources
  • Russel Meigs - Roman Ostia, At the Clarendon Press 1973
  • Guido Calza - Necropoli nell'Isola Sacra'(1940)
  • Dr. Jan Theo Bakker.

 

 

 

Do you appreciate our work?

Support us with a donation.

Become a member and support us
Recent articles & projects

Isola Sacra Index

Isola Sacra Index

Speciale sectie over de Romeinse begraafplaats van Portus (Engels)....

Read more ...

The resurfaced fleet of Pisa

The resurfaced fleet of Pisa

In 1998, an incredible archaeological heritage was discovered by accident near the Pisa San Rossore railway station....

Read more ...

Leptiminus

Leptiminus

At the site of present-day Lamta on Tunisia's east coast, there was already a port city named Leptis Minor ....

Read more ...

Roman maritime trade law

Roman maritime trade law

 

Roman law is the finest monument that Rome bequeathed to Western Europe....

Read more ...

Sullecthum (Salakta)

Sullecthum (Salakta)

In the Sahel, in the Tunisian province of Madhia, we find by the sea the small town of Salakta....

Read more ...
Latest news

About Roman Ports

Amor and PsycheWe are committed to providing versions of our articles and interviews in several languages, but our first language is English.

Please become a member of the Facebook group, which is our main communication platform. There you can learn about upcoming events and items of interest, post your own photos, or share any stories or general questions you may have.

If you have specific questions about our organisation, questions about financial issues, if you would like to assist in the production of our online magazine, or if you have specific requests or ideas for content, use our contactform below. You can contact us in any language!