Tomb Plaque, 400–800
Byzantine or Visigothic; Probably made in Spain
Terracotta; 12 3/4 x 8 7/16 x 2 1/16 in. (32.4 x 21.4 x 5.2 cm)
Inscribed: BRACA RIVI/VASCUM TUIS
Gift of John Crosby Brown Moore, 1985 (1985.147)
Technical Glossary
Byzantine or Visigothic; Probably made in Spain
Terracotta; 12 3/4 x 8 7/16 x 2 1/16 in. (32.4 x 21.4 x 5.2 cm)
Inscribed: BRACA RIVI/VASCUM TUIS
Gift of John Crosby Brown Moore, 1985 (1985.147)
This plaque is thought to be a cover for a niche in a columbarium, or communal tomb. The Christogram--the monogram for Christ's name formed from the first two letters of his name in Greek (x and p), identifies the deceased as Christian. Scholars debate the meaning of the inscription, which may be a prayer for the deceased.
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