From ChatGPT 7/13/2026.
Prompt: In tombs in Jerusalem in the time of Jesus, when bones were moved to an ossuary, what is the name of the narrow slots where the ossuaries were stored? Include all sources in line and with links when available.
The narrow storage spaces in Jewish rock-cut tombs where ossuaries were placed are commonly associated with kokhim (Hebrew: כוכים; singular: kokh) or loculi (Latin: loculus), but the archaeological terminology distinguishes several different architectural features.
1. Kokhim (Hebrew: כוכים)
A kokh is a long, narrow burial shaft cut perpendicular into the wall of a burial chamber.
- The deceased was placed here for primary burial.
- After approximately one year, when the flesh had decomposed, the bones were collected for secondary burial.
- The bones were often transferred to a limestone ossuary.
Israeli archaeologists Amos Kloner and Boaz Zissu describe the kokhim as the standard burial arrangement in Jerusalem during the late Second Temple period. The Necropolis of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period. (Brill)
2. Where were the ossuaries stored?
This is where terminology becomes important.
Many people assume that ossuaries were placed into special narrow slots after secondary burial. Archaeological evidence shows that there was no universally recognized architectural feature reserved exclusively for ossuaries.
Depending on the tomb, ossuaries were found:
- placed back inside unused kokhim,
- stacked within existing kokhim,
- placed on stone benches,
- placed on the floor along the walls,
- or set in small wall recesses (ossuary niches).
Archaeologists usually call these simply ossuary niches, wall niches, or storage recesses rather than giving them a special ancient name. (Brill)
3. Arcosolia
Some wealthier tombs contained arcosolia (singular: arcosolium).
An arcosolium is an arched recess with a burial bench beneath it. These became increasingly common during the first century CE.
Recent work by Kloner and Zissu even argues that in some Jerusalem tombs the arcosolia may have been used primarily for storing ossuaries, while the deceased were initially placed in sealed kokhim for decomposition. (hadashot.iaa.org.il)
4. Why the confusion?
Many popular books and documentaries use the words loculus, kokh, and ossuary niche almost interchangeably.
Archaeologically they are different:
| Feature | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Kokh (loculus) | Long, narrow shaft for primary burial |
| Ossuary | Limestone box holding collected bones |
| Ossuary niche / wall recess | Small recess or shelf where an ossuary could be stored |
| Arcosolium | Arched bench used for burial and, in some tombs, later ossuary storage |
Answer to your question
If you are referring to the long narrow slots cut into the walls, the proper archaeological term is kokhim (or loculi in Latin).
If you are referring to the smaller recesses specifically holding ossuaries after secondary burial, archaeologists generally call them ossuary niches or wall niches. There is no known ancient Hebrew technical term specifically for those storage recesses.
Recommended scholarly sources
- Amos Kloner & Boaz Zissu, *The Necropolis of Jerusalem in the Second Temple Period* — the standard archaeological treatment of Jerusalem’s tomb architecture. (Brill)
- Israel Antiquities Authority excavation reports on Second Temple burial caves — current excavation reports illustrating kokhim, arcosolia, and ossuary placement. (hadashot.iaa.org.il)
- BibleInterp article discussing Amos Kloner’s description of Jerusalem tombs — summarizes the distinction between kokhim (loculi), arcosolia, and ossuaries with references to Kloner’s published work. (bibleinterp.arizona.edu)
