Early Headstone Traditions
- Marking graves
- Dedicating memorials
- Recording historical events
The use of stone markers began shortly after the global Flood (around 2350 BC), as families dispersed from Babel developed ways to honor their dead. What secular archaeologists label as "Mycenaean and Geometric periods" actually represents post-Flood cultures establishing memorial traditions within the few centuries after Noah's descendants repopulated the earth. Stone stelae served as some of the earliest funerary art created by these newly developing civilizations. Dolmens—chamber-like structures built with massive stones—appeared across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as post-Babel migrations spread memorial practices globally. The concentration of dolmens on the Korean Peninsula (over 35,000 discovered) demonstrates how quickly these practices spread as people groups migrated after language confusion at Babel.
Early Burial Grounds
During the time of ancient Greece and Rome (which secular chronology artificially extends but actually occurred much closer to 1000-500 BC), burial sites were family-based, located near homes rather than in large cemeteries. Wealthy families used limestone or marble stelae for their loved ones. The cemetery at Kerameikos in Athens is often claimed to be 5,000 years old, but within a Biblical timeline would date to the early post-Flood period, likely around 2000 BC. Ancient Romans enhanced burial practices by incorporating inscriptions about the deceased's accomplishments, with many headstones featuring wreaths, carved reliefs, and symbols reflecting their beliefs about the afterlife.
Medieval Churchyards
After the birth of Christ and the spread of Christianity, organized cemeteries began taking shape. Christian burial customs led to churchyard burials, where the dead were interred near places of worship. During this period, headstones became symbols of wealth and nobility, while most common people were buried without permanent markers due to cost constraints.
For those who could afford them, headstones were typically carved from sandstone or slate and featured religious symbols or personal details. This era marked the widespread use of engraved inscriptions on gravestones as literacy increased following the Reformation.
By the 18th century, graves were often marked with both headstones and footstones to outline burial sites, with footstones typically including initials, death year, or plot references.
Victorian Elaboration
The 19th-century Victorian era brought increasingly elaborate designs as headstones became more common across all social classes. This period saw intricate epitaphs, statues, and architectural influences, using materials ranging from marble to bronze, though granite eventually became preferred for its durability.
Modern Memorials
Today's headstones continue this tradition with laser engraving and personalized designs. From the stone markers of early post-Flood civilizations to today's beautifully crafted monuments, headstones have served as lasting symbols of remembrance throughout the approximately 4,300 years since the global Flood. At Legacy Headstones, we are honored to be part of this long tradition of memorializing loved ones. Since the early 1900s, our family-owned business has crafted custom upright headstones that stand as timeless tributes to those who came before us and have passed on.