Ancient sources also call it Coemeterium Thrasonis ad s. Saturninum (the cemetery of Thrason at [the basilica of] saint Saturninus in memory of the main martyr buried there, the remains of whose above-ground basilica were still visible late in the 16th century.
The late 7th century pilgrims' itinerary De locis sanctis martyrum quae sunt foris civitatis Romae states that the catacomb contained the bodies of 72 martyrs, whilst the 12 August entry in the 5th century Martyrologium Hieronymianum states that Chrysanthus and Daria were buried in it.
It originated as a sandstone quarry transformed into a burial place in the 3rd century: from this quarry five levels of galleries branched out (it is one of Rome's deepest catacombs), extending almost completely under the current Villa Grazioli and its park, while a skylight is visible in the courtyard of the Royal Palace of Villa Ada.
A basilica to Saint Saturninus was built above ground, as is mentioned in the life of Pope Felix IV in the Liber Pontificalis, stating that he restored its foundations.
The Notitia ecclesiarum urbis Romae and other pilgrims' itineraries mention an underground basilica dedicated to Chysanthus and Daria.