Roman Catacombs

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 May 1903, Page 6

Roman Catacombs

An archaeological discovery of great imporrtance has just been made m the catacombs of St. Cecilia (writes a Rome correspondent). Some laborers were encraged in removing a quantity of soil in the adjacent fields belonging to the Trappist monks, who act as custodians and guides to these catacombs, when their pickaxes struck what turned out to be the stone roof of a subterranean building. Abbe Wilpert, the well-known archaeological expert having been sent for, the excavations were proceeded with under his direction, and soon a number of ancient paintings, including a Greek portrait of Christ, were brought to light, all in a wonderful state of preservation.

I' urther search resulted in the finding of the tombs of St Mark and St. Marcellinus, who were put to death in Rome for their adhesion to the Christian faith by the Emperor Diocletian at tho beginning of the fourth century

It was known from early extant records that these martyrs were buried in the region of the sandpits on tho Appian Way ; but the exact spot had never been ascertained until now.

The excavations are still being actively prosecuted The diggers have unearthed a fine Damasine inscription and. as it is believed, the actual tomb of the great Pope Damasus himself, who did so much towards preserving and ornamenting the Roman Catacombs

Archaeologists on the spot are confident that what is now in process of discovery is a large underground lxasihci used by the early Christians. Traces of tho altar and episcopal chair have been found.