CHURCH AS MUSEUM, SPOLIA AS ARTIFACT: REUSE IN ROMAN CHURCHES CA. 300-1200
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Abstract
This paper aims to reinterpret the use of spolia in churches as a form of collecting and displaying ancient material through an analysis of eight Roman churches and the spolia within them, likening the church to the museum and spolia to artifacts. The museum as it is today is rooted in the ancient past, and while churches have been part of that history this paper expands the church’s contribution to the idea of the museum. I chose to look at churches not only because of their cultural, social, and political significance, but because they collect significant objects; and while the church treasury is primarily a private space, the decoration of the nave and entrances is distinctly public. The spolia utilized in their construction and decoration is accessible and visible for all visitors and are increasingly arranged to highlight difference and variety.