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Mysteries of vernacular: Sarcophagus - Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel

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TEDEd Animation

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Dating back to the early Roman Empire, the word sarcophagus originally referred to the limestone a coffin was made of, rather than the coffin itself. From flesh-eating stone to a stone coffin, Jessica Oreck and Rachael Teel unbury the sarcophagus.

Ancient Roman sarcophagi were often decorated with ornate reliefs. What kinds of scenes do you think you would find on a sarcophagus from this time period?

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Meet The Creators

  • Director Jessica Oreck
  • Producer Rachael Teel

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