What is it about?
The catacomb of Vigna Randanini quickly became a topic in academic and political discourse from the time of its discovery in 1859, helping to shift the perception of Rome’s ancient cemeteries from mere relic repositories to extensive sources of information about the history and functions of the early Church. As a contemporary observer noted, the new catacomb for Jews served as a “litmus test for the Christian catacombs” in the research conducted by the CDAS. The interpretive challenges posed by the Jewish case study offer insight into the Roman Catholic Church’s efforts to reinforce its dogmatic beliefs through new ways of communicating its Christian past.
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Why is it important?
The conclusion is that since the rediscovery of the catacomb of Vigna Randanini in 1859, there has been no significant conspiracy to conceal or manipulate the evidence of a Jewish presence in the Vigna Randanini.
Perspectives
Taking our cue from de Rossi’s “analytical, not synthetic” approach to studying ancient cemeteries, the present inquiry into the catacomb of Vigna Randanini focuses on combining archival data with a deep understanding of the physical site.34 If this account of past scholarship on the Jewish catacombs leaves a strong impression, I very much hope it serves as inspiration for future studies, considering that, from a documentary standpoint, much of the Vigna Randanini remains unexplored.
Dr. Jessica Dello Russo, Ph.D.
North End Historical Society
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Conclusion: Why the Jewish Catacombs Matter, September 2025, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004735385_008.
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