Arcosolium

The arcosolium or Arkosol (from Latin arcus bow, solium grave ) is a grave form in rocks or catacombs. It consists of an arc spanned niche in the bottom of which is a recess for the body. The actual grave chamber was sealed with a stone slab, the arch itself remained open. Arkosolia are a typical form of burial of the early Christians in the Roman catacombs during the 3rd and 4th century.

Likewise graves in arched niches in walls of churches or cloisters are called Arkosolgräber or niche graves.