TOMB 86 (continuation)

The lower burial chamber, accessible by a small staircase of six steps, is more interesting
than the upper one. Because the floor lies underground, there is nearly always water
on top of it. The floor consisrs of a black-and-white mosaic depicting
a rowing boat with Charon, rowing the deceased to the afterlife.
In spite of the mythological nature of the scene, the type of boat
depicted is the same type of boat that fishermen used.
The mosaic is now protected by plastic and earth.
Alongside the back and side walls of the lower burial chamber
three sarcophagi have been found (stored in the Ostian museum).

   A large platform at the back wall
   and one alongside the left wall
   show that inhumation in the upper
   chamber became common during
   a later use of that chamber.

    (click to continue tomb 86)