(Neolatin: “African work”). A form of ashlar masonry used in Carthaginian and ancient Roman architecture. Opus africanum consists of vertical pillars of stone alternating with large horizontal blocks. The spaces between the pillars are filled in with smaller, horizontally oriented blocks or mortared rubble. The technique probably originated in Phoenicia. It is found in Carthaginian and Numidian archaeological sites, and also in Etruria, Sicily and southern Italy. Web resource here.

Opus africanum in the cella wall of the Capitoleum, Dougga, Tunisia. Roman Empire. 2nd c. CE. Photo: Profburp.