Oldest Christian amulet ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription’ discovered north of the Alps

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Oldest Christian amulet ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription’ discovered north of the Alps

Archaeologists have unearthed what is now recognized as the oldest known Christian artifact north of the Alps, the ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription.’ This third-century amulet in a Roman-era grave is more than just a relic. It represents a significant milestone in understanding the early spread of Christianity in Northern Europe.

Its discovery not only pushes back the historical timeline of Christian artifacts in the region but also highlights the profound personal devotion of the believers who lived when professing such faith could have led to severe consequences.

Unearthing the ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription’

In December 2018, during an excavation in Frankfurt’s Praunheim district, archaeologists stumbled upon a groundbreaking artifact within the remnants of a Roman-era grave. This area, once the Roman settlement of Nida, revealed a grave that encapsulated its era’s cultural and religious undertones. On December 11, the discovery was formally announced in a press release from the City of Frankfurt am Main.

The grave, dated between 230 and 270 AD, held a small but profoundly significant object. A silver amulet known as the ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription.’ The amulet measures about 3.5 centimeters in length and features two loops on top, suggesting it was likely worn around the neck.

Its most compelling aspect, however, was the wafer-thin silver scroll enclosed within, preserved yet extremely fragile. The scroll’s delicate condition posed a significant challenge to researchers, as any attempt to physically unroll it risked irreversible damage.

Imaging technology used in revealing the ancient texts

The intricate nature of the ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription’ required the use of advanced imaging technologies. Researchers at the Leibniz Center for Archaeology in Mainz employed a computed tomography (CT) scanner, a tool more commonly associated with medical diagnostics, to peer inside the coiled artifact. This method provided a non-invasive way to analyze the interior without physically tampering with the scroll.

CT scanning offers detailed images of internal structures, and in the case of the amulet, it allowed experts to create a high-resolution, three-dimensional model of the scroll. This breakthrough was crucial as it enabled the virtual unrolling of the silver scroll.

The digital reconstruction revealed 18 lines of Latin text, carefully inscribed and hidden for nearly two millennia. This not only preserved the text but also brought to light archaeological technology’s advanced capabilities in uncovering past secrets.

The Unique Christian Identity of the Frankfurt Amulet

The ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription’ contains a distinctly Christian invocation, with phrases such as “Holy! Holy! Holy! In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God. … Protect the man who surrenders himself to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, since before Jesus Christ every knee bows.”

This text is significant not only for its content but also for its language. While many early Christian artifacts featured inscriptions in Greek or Hebrew, the use of Latin in this context points to a sophisticated and potentially educated Christian community in the region.

Comparatively, religious amulets of the same era frequently referenced multiple deities and faiths, often blending pagan, Jewish, and Christian symbols. This amulet, devoid of any pagan or other monotheistic symbols, highlights a singular devotion to the Christian faith during a ******* marked by religious plurality and persecution.

A shift in Christianity’s historical timeline

The discovery of the amulet predates the previously known artifacts and textual references to Christianity in Northern Europe by several decades, approximately 30 to 70 years earlier than the earliest evidence dated to around 300 AD. This adjustment in the timeline provides new insights into the spread and acceptance of Christianity across the Roman Empire.

Professor Markus Scholz of Frankfurt’s Goethe University remarks, “The finding is extraordinary. It tells us that the

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in this region was not only present but also boldly expressive of their faith, even in the face of possible persecution. This challenges our previous understanding of the religious landscape in Roman Germany.”

Dr. Ivan Calandra from the Leibniz Center for Archaeology adds, “The technological prowess we applied here goes beyond just uncovering an ancient text—it helps us understand the societal structures and personal convictions of early Christians. This amulet is a window into their lives and beliefs.”

More than an archaeological curiosity, the ‘Frankfurt Silver Inscription’ is a profound indicator of the complexities of early Christian history in Europe.

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