Larnax
The Larnax is a term from archeology and describes a coffin made of terracotta , often decorated with rich ornaments . In a narrow sense, it refers to a of gold crafted box in which the bones most of nobles were kept. This box was again in a sarcophagus . In the Hellenistic world, monumental mausoleums containing such Larnakes were widespread as burial sites for the ruling class.
One example is the artistically executed tomb of Vergina , which dates from the third quarter of the fourth century BC. The ruler's tomb, discovered in Macedonia , contains two golden Larnax caskets with bones. The male bones were also wrapped in a purple cloak. Furthermore, this larnax was accompanied by a beautifully crafted oak leaf made of chased gold and an acorn crown , which indicates that the bones belonged to a king .
Another example is the Minoan chest sarcophagus in Hanover .
