necropolis
UK: nɪˈkrɒpəlɪs | US: nɪˈkrɑːpəlɪs
n. A large, ancient cemetery with elaborate tomb monuments, especially one of a historic city.
necropolis = necro<dead> + polis<city>
- necro: From Greek nekros (dead), referring to death or corpses.
- polis: From Greek polis (city), denoting a settlement or community.
Etymology Origin:
The term necropolis literally means "city of the dead" in Greek, combining nekros (dead) and polis (city). Ancient cultures, such as the Egyptians and Greeks, often built elaborate burial sites resembling cities to honor the deceased. The word reflects the conceptual blending of death and urban organization, emphasizing the scale and permanence of these burial grounds.
The Giza necropolis is one of the most famous ancient burial sites in the world.
Archaeologists discovered a necropolis filled with ornate sarcophagi near Rome.
The necropolis was designed to mirror the layout of a living city.
Visitors marveled at the hieroglyphs adorning the necropolis walls.
Historians study necropolises to understand ancient funerary practices.