Tomb Varieties: Cemetery and Graveyard Terms

Altar Tomb – A solid, rectangular, raised tomb or grave marker resembling ceremonial altars of classical antiquity and Judeo-Christian ritual.


Bale Tomb – Looks like a chest tomb with a rounded top

Barrel Tomb – Rounded on the top. The curved top sometimes extends all the way to the ground

Chest Tomb – An unencumbered type of sarcophagus like tomb. It looks like a large trunk or container

Hip Tomb – A rectangular box with a 2 or 4 sided hip roof applied to the top.

Table Tomb – These look like stone tables. Typically they are supported by 6 legs

Pedestal Tomb – Designers began to place sarcophagus like tombs on pedestals