Sarcophagi Essay

Sarcophagi have been used throughout many cultures for a long period of time. The purpose was to protect the body of the deceased by enclosing them in box, and decorating the outside. Egyptians relied on religious influences for the style of their sarcophagi, ensuring the deceased will have well being in the afterlife. Although the function, protecting the deceased, was the main intent, style became the focus with different locations. Sarcophagi design changed throughout time periods and decorations on the sarcophagi became more ornate due to evolving cultures. Because of this change, the usage of the sarcophagi shifted from the importance of functionality, to the significance of a cultures’ craftsmanship and the meanings of the decorations.
The earliest tomb discovered was in Egypt during the
One of the most famous sarcophagi discovered was from the Etruscan time period called Sarcophagus of the Spouses. Unlike the Egyptians, the Etruscans used terracotta in majority of their artwork and their sarcophagi. In addition, rather than just painting on the outside, the Etruscans sculpted figures on top of their lids, focusing on facial expressions and the figures’ proportions. Due to the focus of facial expressions in Etruscan sarcophagi, historians were able to decipher information about their history. There was a gradual somber expression that began to appear on the figures, reflecting how their peaceful community declined due to war. According to the article Etruscan Sarcophagi: A Forgotten Tragedy Told in Death, the Etruscan vision of afterlife began to change as their community declined. During this transition the figures on sarcophagi began to appear alone, seen clinging onto worldly possessions. The bottoms were decorated with reliefs that showed the deceased being beaten by demonic creatures in the