Tomb
a monument erected over a grave, in order to mark the resting place, and preserve the memory, of the deceased. In early ages, and among the Eastern nations, it sometimes became the practice to place the remains of the dead in excavated sepulchers, whose interior was often decorated with painting or otherwise. Where the usage was to burn the dead their bones and ashes were placed in urns in these receptacles. Some of the most remarkable rock tombs were TOMLINSON those of Egypt. The rocks tombs of Persia and Lycia have imposing architectural façades. In the earlier centuries of Christianity the burial of the dead in churches was prohibited. The first step which led to its adoption was the custom of erecting churches over the graves of martyrs; then followed the permission of kings and emperors to be buried in the church porch. The most important tombs of the Middle Ages are generally within churches or cloisters. The earlier examples consist of a simple stone coffin, or sarcophagus, often with a low gabled lid and a sculptured cross. An altar tomb, or tomb in the form of a table, followed; and in the 13th century a species of tomb was introduced, consisting of a sarcophagus, on which rests a recumbent figure of the deceased, the whole being surmounted by a canopy, often of exquisite symmetry and richness.