A groundbreaking discovery has just been made in Frankfurt, Germany, where scientists have uncovered the oldest known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps.
This revelation comes from a 1,800-year-old silver amulet found with the remains of a man at a burial site.
Measuring just 1.4 inches long, the amulet was inscribed with 18 lines of Latin text, offering a glimpse into early Christian beliefs at a time when the faith was still considered a burgeoning cult.
Unlocking the Ancient Text
The amulet was discovered in 2018 in the area of Nida, an ancient Roman settlement that predates modern-day Frankfurt.
It was buried with personal items such as an incense bowl and a clay jug, suggesting the man may have been someone of significance.
Positioned under the man’s chin, the silver amulet likely served as a protective talisman for his journey into the afterlife.
What makes this discovery so remarkable is that the inscription was not read by anyone for almost two millennia.
Researchers at the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (LEIZA) and Goethe University in Frankfurt used cutting-edge technology to decipher the inscription.
Using CT scans and 3D imaging, they were able to virtually “unroll” the brittle silver foil, revealing the text for the first time since the 3rd century AD.
Though gaps remain in the text, the translation provides an invaluable look into the early spread of Christianity in Europe.
A Purely Christian Inscription
What makes this inscription particularly fascinating is its content.
The Latin text makes clear references to Jesus Christ as the “Son of God” and calls on Saint Titus, an early Christian missionary.
What’s especially notable is that the amulet contains no references to pagan or Jewish beliefs, which were often present in religious artifacts of the time.
The text is considered “purely Christian,” a rare find for an artifact from this period.
This marks a significant shift from previous religious inscriptions, which often mixed elements of different faiths.
The absence of references to figures such as Yahweh or the archangels further cements this amulet as a distinctly Christian artifact.
This discovery offers crucial evidence of the early Christian presence in the region, dating back to a time when the faith was still growing and facing persecution.
The First Christian in the Region?
The dating of the burial site places it between 230 and 270 AD, a time when Christianity was still emerging from its roots in Judaea.
The man buried with the amulet is considered by many experts to be the “first Christian north of the Alps.”
While it’s unclear how widespread Christianity was in the area at the time, this discovery raises the possibility that other early Christian burial sites could be hidden across Europe.
Frankfurt’s mayor, Mike Josef, expressed his pride in the discovery, calling it a “scientific sensation” that could shift the understanding of Christianity’s early history in the region.
The significance of the find extends beyond archaeology, impacting fields such as theology, anthropology, and philology.
The Translation of the Frankfurt Silver Inscription
The full translation of the inscription reveals the devout nature of the individual who wore the amulet:
“In the name of Saint Titus. Holy, holy, holy! In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God! The Lord of the world resists with strength all attacks.
The God grants entry to well-being. May this means of salvation protect the man who surrenders himself to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, since before Jesus Christ, every knee bows: those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and every tongue confesses.”
This text represents one of the earliest known Christian prayers in the region and offers a powerful connection to the beliefs of those living in the 3rd century.
A Historic Find with Lasting Impact
The discovery of the Frankfurt silver inscription is expected to continue sparking research for years to come.
Its implications for understanding early Christianity, as well as the region’s archaeological and religious history, are profound.
As the City of Frankfurt and researchers continue to study this remarkable find, it reminds us of the enduring legacy of the past and the ways in which new technologies can unlock ancient secrets.