Christian Catacombs May Have Jewish Origin Michael Schirber LiveScience Staff Writer Wed Jul 20, 1:43 PM ET The Roman catacombs are intricate labyrinths of burial chambers that were built roughly between the third and fifth century AD. They are considered among the most important relics of early Christianity. But a recent study of a Jewish catacomb in Rome finds that it was started a century before the oldest known Christian versions. In addition to the 60 Christian catacombs that have survived in Rome, there are two Jewish catacombs, which are distinguishable by the decorative artwork and inscriptions that were used....