Sacred Recycling

Spoliation and reuse of earlier building materials was a common construction practice in late antique North Africa. Nevertheless, written accounts of Christian iconoclasm have influenced the way archaeologists interpret the late antique constructions of temples where votive objects and architectural elements were reused. This has led scholars to overlook evidence of continued pagan ritual at these sites, and to view the reuse of pagan ritual objects as an expression of Christian triumph. Drawing on object biography and agency approaches, I argue that the destruction and reuse of votive objects was a normal part of the lifecycle of a temple. In a North African context, votive objects such as stelae, unguentaria, and lamps were supposed to accumulate and serve as visual reminders of prior rituals. At the end of their lives, they were often buried in favissae, reused as foundations for later temple phases, or formed part of the walls and floor. This reuse did not diminish, but rather enhanced their sacred significance by facilitating further ritual and creating a visual and physical connection to the past. The reuse of votive objects in late antique temples should not be read as a smoking gun for Christian interference, but could be a way of renewing and enhancing the sacred meaning of the original dedication.