Tombs

Society Tombs Researched by: Mac Cook

A society tomb is not an individual tomb, but a multi layered tomb wall that contains several burial vaults.  These types of tombs are often used by social or community groups so that all members would have burial space.  Sometimes these tombs are used by a single family rather than a group.  Ones that are not in a church yard or cemetery are under a religious building like a church.  All in all, society tombs are like mausoleums in most ways, except that most people in a society tomb are connected in some way.

"Society Tombs." Dead Space. 2002/2003. Historic Preservation Program. 6 Feb 2007 <http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_soc.html
"Burial Vault." Wikipedia. 6 Feb 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_vault_%28tomb%29>.
Society Tomb 1. Online image. Cml.upen.edu. 6 Feb <2007 http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs
_soc.html>
Society Tomb 2. Online image. Cml.upen.edu. 6 Feb <http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_soc.html.> 

Parapet Tombs Researched by: Camen Sauerbrei
Parapet tombs are vault tombs in which one or more bodies are buried; they possess a raised parapet that is purposely built to conceal a roof behind it.

Platform Tombs Researched by: Camen Sauerbrei

Platform tombs are tombs with one or more burial vaults in which bodies are buried; they are equal or lesser in height than in width.

"St.Louis Cemetery No. 1." St. Louis Cemetery No.1. 2003. Historic Preservation Program. 6 Feb 2007 http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs.
“Parapet Tomb” Online image Feb. 6, 2007 http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_para.html
“Platform Tomb” Online Image Feb. 6, 2007 <http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_plat.html>

Step Tomb Researched by: Ashlee Crane

A step tomb in a raised platform that has a single vault and in has a stepped or molded top with an end tablet (as the tombstone). In order to make a step tomb, you must dig a rather shallow grave and have bricks lain in layers around and above the grave, therefore making a step shape.

Pediment Tomb Researched by: Ashlee Crane
A pediment tomb is a multiple vault tomb whose height is greater than its width and whose top has a front gable end pediment or flat, triangular or segmental design on top of it.

Space, Dead. ""Step" Tombs." St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 History. 2002-2003. Dead Space. 6 Feb 2007 <http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_step.html>.
Space, Dead. ""Pediment" Tombs ." St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 History. 2002-2003. Dead Space. 6 Feb 2007 <http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_pedi.html>.
“Tomb #6” Online Image. Deadspaces.com. 6 February 2007. http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_pedi.html .
 “Tomb #92” Online Image. Deadspaces.com. 6 February 2007. http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs_step.html

Sarcophagus Researched by: Andy Herrmann

A sarcophagus is a stone container for a body or “coffin.”  The 5^th century BC Greek historian, Herodotus, noted that early sarcophagi were carved from a special kind of rock that consumed the corpse inside.  In particular, coffins made of a limestone from Assus, a cityin Ancient Greece. The marble was also called sarkophagos lithos.  All coffins made of limestone have this property to a greater or lesser degree, and the name eventually came to be applied to stone coffins in general.

"Sarcophagus-Wikipedia." Wikipedia. 31 Jan, 2007. Wikipedia. 6 Feb 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcophagus>.
"Sarcophagus". Online Image. http://www.compulink.co.uk. 6 February 2007.<http://www.compulink.co.uk/~archaeology/
civilisation/egypt/tutankhamun/tutankhamun.htm>
“Egyptian Sarcophagus”. Online Image. http://www.sunshinejoy.com. 6 February 2007. <http://www.sunshinejoy.com/Egyptian_Statuettes.asp?Category=26&Name=Egyptian_Statues>

Family Plots  Researched by: Andy Slettehaugh

Some people order a small amount of land in a graveyard that will be set aside for their family. These areas are called family plots, and they are usually surrounded by a small brick wall. Today most graveyards don’t allow family plots; but they do allow you to choose where you are buried. Most plots vary from a few feet to a few yards across. The majority of family plots were bought while people were first coming to America.  Last of all, some families even have their own cemeteries.

 “Greenwood Cemetery” Online image. Bridge and Tunnel Club. 6 Feb 2007
http://www.bridgeandtunnelclub.com/bigmap/brooklyn/
greenwood/gravesites/index.htm
Ferguson, Linda. "Family Plots." geolit.org. Geo Literacy Project. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.geolit.org/headstones/family_plot.htm>.     

Crypt Researched by: Michelle Stuessi

Crypts are enclosed graves that are usually underground, but they can be underground too.  A lot of times, more than one person can be buried in a crypt. Crypts can be found under buildings, churches, or walkways.  Sometimes crypts are located near cemeteries, but not always, because they can be anywhere.

O'Neil, Joseph. Three Crypts. 1997. The Black and White Photo Gallery One, London, Canada. www.start.ca. 6 Feb. 2007 <http://www.start.ca/users/joneil/bwpics.html>.
Ferguson, Linda, and Eva Miller. "Crypts." CSI Rockville. 1997. 6 Feb. 2007 <http://geolit.org/RockvilleCSI/Crypts.htm>.

Wall Vault Researched by: Ereka Hunt

A wall vault is like a building or house. They can be above ground, but most of them are underground. They are made out of stone or cement. It is an enclosed grave. It is usually made for just one or two people. Some vaults are very extravagant, with stained glass windows and marble. Others are very small and plain.

"Headstone Types." 6 Feb. 2007 <http://csiwebquest.org/CSIExpert/forms/Headstone_types_1.doc>.
“Vault.” Online Image. Vaults. 6 February 2007.
< http://www.geolit.org/headstones/vaults.htm>

Slot and Tab Tombs Researched by: Chelsea Richards

Slot and tab tombs are a type of tombstone that are made of a kind of material called soapstone, which is a soft greenish grey material. They have a box like figure as the base of the tombstone and two raised tabs that have a smaller gravestone with the epitaph on it on one side. Then there is another piece of soapstone that goes through the tabs and creates a top to the box like figure. Slot and tab tombstones are not common in modern day but were very popular in the mid to late 1800’s. The body is not placed inside the box as one might think but under the tombstone.

 “Church cemetery slot-and-tab tombs.” Online image.  February 6, 2007 http://www.darkfiber.com/tomb/
"Slot and tab tombs." Black Fiber. 11 November 1998. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.darkfiber.com/tomb/>.

Table or Box Tombs Research By: Jayden Robert

Table or box tombs were most common during the nineteenth century.  They were in built in the shape of a box with a ceiling, walls, and no floor.  The reason for the box like structure was to fool tomb robbers into thinking that the body is inside of the box, when the body is actually buried in a hole that is at least five feet from the surface.  The holes’ walls would be lined with stones to prevent the tomb from caving in.

 Kunesh, Tom. "Table TombsBox Tombs." 6 Feb. 2007 <www.darkfiber.comtombcemeteriestableindex.html>.
"Davies' Gravesite Gets Much Needed Facelift." Carolina First. The University of North Carolina. 6 Feb. 2007 <http:\carolinafirst.unc.educonnectionsspring1999davgrave>.

Vaults Researched by: Megan Wancura

A vault is a container that you put the casket into. It is placed underground with the body and casket. Leo Haaste created the first one, thinking that graves would be better in concrete. He started making them in the 1880s. Vaults can also be built with stone, plastic and cement. They hold only one to two caskets. It is made to protect the body and casket. It is just extra protection, so that the body won’t be shaken when it is underground. It also protects the body from moisture.

Found in the St. Joseph Cemetery (click to enlarge)

Preplannet, "Burial Vaults." Preplanit. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.preplannet.com/Vault.htm>.
GNU, "Burial vault (enclosure)." Wikipedia. 28 December 2006. 6 Feb 2007 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_vault_(enclosure)>.
"History of Burial Vaults." Wilbert. 6 Feb 2007 <http://www.wilbertonline.com/about/history/lined/>.
“Vault”. Online Image. February 6, 2007. <http://www.oacf.org/ >
“Vault”. Online Image. February 6, 2007 <http://www.stefffuneralhome.com/webgraphics/graphics/burial-vault1-small.jpg>

Related Links:
Grave markers and Headstones.
Types of Headstones
Interesting Headstone

Types of Tombs http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historypgtombs.html
Slot and Tab Tombs (other information) http://www.darkfiber.com/tomb/
Table and Box Tombs http://www.darkfiber.com/tomb/cemeteries/table/index.html

Tombs http://www.tngenweb.org/darkside/typology.html
Above Ground Burial http://www.experienceneworleans.com/deadcity1.html