Image: Chi Rho on Gravestone of Rignedrudis, 6th cent.

Detail of the gravestone of Rignedrudis, from the 6th century AD. This stone originally belonged to an antique building and was reused In the Early Middle Ages as a gravestone. The Christogram (Chi Rho), palm branch and pecking birds are Christian symbols. The name Rigndedrudis indicates that she was a Germanic woman. IN HVNC TOMOLO REQ(ui)-ESCIT IN PACE BONE ME < ME > MO RIE NOMENE RIGNEDRVDISCARA PARENTEBVS ET NIMIVM RELICTA AMORE.QVI VIXIT IN HVNC SAECOLO ANNOS XIIIIIIET MIGRAVIT DE DVC MVN-DO XV K(a)L(enda)S MADIAS"In this grave rests in peace (the girl) Rignedrudis of good memory, dear to her parents and too much missed in their love. She lived 16 years in this world and went from this earth the 15th day before the Kalends of May (= April 17)."