Necropoli: meaning, definitions and examples
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necropoli
[ nɛkrəˈpɒlɪs ]
archaeological term
A necropolis is a large ancient cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments. The term is derived from the Greek words 'nekros' meaning 'dead' and 'polis' meaning 'city', thus illustrating that the necropolis is regarded as a city of the dead. These sites are often found adjacent to ancient urban areas and can contain numerous tombs, mausoleums, and memorials.
Synonyms
burial ground, cemetery, tomb site
Examples of usage
- The archaeologists discovered a necropolis that dates back to the Roman era.
- In Egypt, the necropolis of Giza contains some of the most famous pyramids.
- Visitors can explore the ancient necropolis, which reveals a lot about burial practices.
- The necropolis serves as a valuable historical record of the civilization's past.
Translations
Translations of the word "necropoli" in other languages:
🇵🇹 necrópole
🇮🇳 समाधि स्थल
🇩🇪 Nekropole
🇮🇩 necropolis
🇺🇦 некрополь
🇵🇱 nekropolia
🇯🇵 ネクロポリス
🇫🇷 nécropole
🇪🇸 necrópolis
🇹🇷 nekropol
🇰🇷 네크로폴리스
🇸🇦 نقروبوليس
🇨🇿 nekropole
🇸🇰 nekropolis
🇨🇳 墓地
🇸🇮 nekropol
🇮🇸 nekropolis
🇰🇿 некрополь
🇬🇪 ნეკროპოლი
🇦🇿 nekropol
🇲🇽 necrópolis
Etymology
The term 'necropolis' originates from the ancient Greek 'νεκρόπολις' (nekropolis), with 'νεκρός' (nekros) meaning 'dead' and 'πόλις' (polis) meaning 'city'. It emerged in the context of ancient Greek burial practices, where large areas outside the city were designated for the burial of the dead, often containing elaborate tombs and monuments intended to honor the deceased. These sites were critical in understanding the social and cultural practices of ancient civilizations. The use of the term has expanded over time to encompass similar burial sites from various cultures, reflecting their importance as historical and archaeological landmarks. Necropolises can be found in many ancient civilizations, including Egyptian, Roman, and Etruscan cultures, each with unique architectural styles and practices associated with death and the afterlife.