Plural of favissa; small pits or depressions, especially in ancient Roman temple structures used for storing sacred objects or votive offerings.
From Latin favissa meaning 'pit' or 'cavity,' derived from favere 'to favor' with a shift in meaning to describe physical depressions. The term evolved in archaeological contexts to describe specific architectural features found in Roman temples and sanctuaries.
Roman priests would hide broken or worn-out sacred objects in these favissae rather than throwing them away, treating them like holy recycling centers—archaeologists now use them as time capsules to date ancient buildings!
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