What term is defined as burial outside the walls of a city?

The term that refers to burial outside the walls of a city is "extramural burial." This term comes from the Latin roots "extra," meaning outside, and "murus," meaning wall. Historically, extramural burials were significant because many ancient civilizations had regulations about where the dead could be buried, often prohibiting burials within city limits for health and safety reasons or due to religious beliefs.

Understanding this term is crucial because it highlights the historical practices surrounding burial and how urban planning influenced funeral practices. Those who were buried extramurally were often placed in cemeteries located on the outskirts of towns, which was common in many cultures, particularly during times of plague or other health crises that necessitated keeping the dead separate from the living.

The other terms provided have distinct meanings. "Inhumation" refers to the process of burying a body in the ground, while "crypt" indicates a subterranean chamber used as a burial space, typically found within a church or cemetery but not specifically denoting the location relative to city walls. "Ash interment" pertains to the practice of placing cremated remains in a designated location, but it doesn't specify the spatial relationship to the city.