Archaeologists say an ancient inscription could rewrite the history of Christianity in northern Italy

Archaeologists have discovered a silver amulet north of the Alps that could rewrite the history of Christianity, according to a theologian.

The written amulet was found buried in a tomb in Frankfurt, Germany in 2018. This is stated in the information released by the city. The amulet is just over an inch in size and has thin silver foil wrapped around it, the city said. It took years to determine what the inscription said: The foil was too fragile to open, so it had to be deciphered with a computer scan. The “Frankfurt Silver Letter” was presented to the public in early December.

The inscription was found to be an expression of faith in Jesus Christ, written in Latin. The affidavit indicates that the wearer was “clearly a devout Christian, which is quite unusual for today’s time,” the city said.

Researchers have determined that the tomb in which the amulet was found dates back to 230-270 AD. According to the city, this is the earliest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps: All other finds are several decades younger, with “reliable evidence” of the religion in the region dating back to the 4th century.

The inscription does not mention any religion other than Christianity, which researchers say is unusual. By the 5th century, such amulets “always contained a mixture of different beliefs,” such as Judaism or paganism. Rather, it is entirely based on Christianity. At one point, “Holy, holy, holy!” is available. Researchers previously dated this call to no later than the 4th century. The amulet also contained quotations from the Bible used by Christians at the time.

“The ‘Frankfurt Inscription’ is a scientific sensation,” Mayor Mike Josef said in a translated statement. The first Christian find north of the Alps comes from our city: we can be proud of it, especially now, so close. “Those who took part in Christmas did a great job.”

The researchers said the discovery will lead to a re-evaluation of the tomb where the amulet was discovered. It would also lead to a rethinking of ideas about Christianity north of the Alps.

German church historian Ulrich Volp This was reported to the Evangelical Press Service The amulet can be used to understand how Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire in the 3rd century, even during the persecutions.

“The significance of the discovery cannot be overstated,” Volp said.

The news comes nearly six months after experts in Germany said a newly deciphered 1,600-year-old manuscript was the work. The oldest record of the childhood of Jesus Christ.