ancient rome has become an excavation site known for its rather extravagant cemeteries. all in all, the commoners and wealthy families of rome were buried in the same cemeteries; the wealthy, however, had more elaborate tombs. the tombs of the wealthy were typically cut out of bedrock and rectangular in shape. these rectangular tombs resembled the ancient roman's house structure, having doors, and many different chambers. of these chambers, one of them was used to hold the dead's memorial ceremony. during this ceremony, the family of the deceased would get together and have dinner. other chambers were used to house anything thought necessary for the person laid to rest – including portraits of the deceased and any paraphernalia needed for the memorial ceremony that had yet to come.