Talk:Tomb

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[edit] Deficit

This article is informative and well written. However, it does not offer information about the practical, social, or cultural functions of tombs. Why do scientists believe that tombs were developed by people? To prevent disease? To commemorate the dead? To preserve bodies? Even though the answers to some of these questions are not definitive, there ought to be well formulated and well researched theories on the matter that probably should have a small section in the article. ---

[edit] Comment

From the article, I find it difficult to distinguish between a mausoleum and a tomb. Any editors want to take this one up? Rklawton 00:02, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

I can try and edit them so that the distinction is clearer. I certainly wouldn't want them to merge. Tomb is a very broad term. Mausoleum is quite specific. Verica Atrebatum 08:23, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

Having re-read the two articles in question, there either seems to be some current misuse of the terms or the terms can be used somewhat interchangeably in, I assume, the US. Brief research has confirmed my own view that a mausoleum is a type of tomb (in its broadest sense) which includes a free-standing building as well as the tomb itself (which strictly-speaking is the place of burial/interment). I cannot really comment on the 'Crypt Mausoleum' at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, although the description suggests it is what we would call a 'burial vault' in the UK. I get the impression that burial vaults don't really exist in the US. Perhaps that is why the Los Angeles example, being unusual, is called a mausoleum. Does this help or just confuse still further? Verica Atrebatum 10:49, 6 December 2006 (UTC)