Sarcophagus

In the third century AD, a new form of burial became fashionable in the coastal regions of Syria and Lebanon − lead coffins. Wealthy citizens ordered lead coffins from local workshops. One splendid example is the sarcophagus from Byoud al-Sayed, near Tyre in Lebanon. It is unclear whether the richly decorated coffin belonged to a Christian or a pagan. Early Christian motifs, such as fish and vines, alternate here with pagan sphinxes and winged Gorgon’s heads.