Stone grave marker for pouring libations, Roman, 1–300 CE

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Stone grave marker for pouring libations, Roman, 1–300 CE. Beginning with the words “To the Spirits of the Dead”, this sepulchral slab was dedicated to a man, Theopropus, by his parents. The slab would have lain on top on a grave and underneath its stone cover were holes so that wine, milk, honey, water or oil – known as libations – can be poured into the grave. Libations were offered to the ghosts of the dead to feed them in the afterlife. Another theory is that the offerings were to prevent the dead haunting the living. Votive offering. Contributors: Science Museum, London. Work ID: jc5wcms9.

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