DESCRIPTION. The burial ground or monument of the Western Galilee comprises of numerous large flat stones, which are laid horizontally to form a flat surface. The lower portion of the land presents a leveled hill of 12 metres in height and about 2,500 ha in area; hence it is called as “Stone Tomb”. This hill is composed of numerous individual flat sandstone blocks, together with many large gorges and recesses in them. The burial place is enclosed by a natural ditch or small stream with water running through it.
The upper area of the grave consists of two levels: that is, the northern area is sloped towards the west, while the southern part is completely level. This hill has a huge cave built inside it with chambers, which contain the bones of the persons who were buried there. Nearby are other chambers with fine frescoes and paintings. There is also the possibility of an underground shaft or passageway in the caves. The grave markers found here bear the names of the deceased, the age, profession, and location of birth, death, and burial.
Many persons nowadays opt for stone grave markers over the traditional wooden ones for several reasons. First of all, the latter is said to be more durable than the former. Secondly mo da hoa cuong, they can be easily maintained and have better looks. Thirdly, they do not need to be fixed into the ground as the former ones do. Fourthly, the cost of building a stone tomb is much less than the cost of building a wooden one, even if the latter is undoubtedly the most beautiful and the most durable of the two.
A lot of effort goes into the selection of the stones used in a grave marker. Stones of different colors and designs have been used in grave markers, depending on the overall appearance and the theme of the tomb. Some of the commonly used stones are granite, limestone, marble, slate, sandstone, and even quartzite. These stones are used because they have a distinctive look that can easily be incorporated into the overall design of the grave marker. They also last longer than the common types of stones like marble and wood.
The process of quarrying the stones is usually done manually by workers using pickaxes. Later on, automated machines were introduced for the same purpose. Today, there is the presence of automated equipment for this purpose. However manual quarrying still takes place in some places. Also, it is essential to have the permission of the local authorities before commencing any construction work.
A stone tomb usually has a stucco exterior. This is done by applying thin layers of sand, cement, and later, stone to the surface of the rock. A protective coating is usually applied on the surface to avoid the eyes and the nose from being contaminated with dust and dirt. Stones are placed inside the tomb, either one side or front-back up to a height of about three feet. At times, a small door may also be installed for easier entrance and exit. This is mostly found in cemeteries located outside.