Christian Altars in Southern Gaul (5th–12th Centuries)

Translation of the abstract (pp. 577-583) for Les autels chrétiens du sud de la Gaule (Vᵉ-XIIᵉ siècles), a study and catalogue of medieval altars by Yumi Narasawa
Brepols Publishers, Turnhout, 2015

“The altar is the most venerable structure in the church, as it plays a central role in the Eucharistic rite. It is both a symbol of Christ and a memorial of the Last Supper. The altar is also an archeological object. Although few ancient altars have survived in their entirety, investigation of even a fragment can yield information about the liturgical and artistic aspects of the object as well as the history of the site.”