Source: The History Blog
December 17, 2024
A roll of wafter-thin silver foil found in a 3rd century grave in Frankfurt is the earliest archaeological evidence of Christianity north of the Alps. There are references to Christianity in Gaul and Germany in historical sources from the late 2nd century, but evidence of Christians living north of the Alps before this find dated to the 4th century at the earliest.
The tightly-rolled scroll just 3.5 cm long (1.38 inches) is a phylactery, a protective amulet, worn on a string or ribbon around the neck. It was discovered in a 2017-2018 excavation of a 3rd century burial ground on the Heilmannstrasse. The excavation unearthed 127 graves closely buried in an area of 5382 square feet. Of the 127 graves, 113 of them were inhumation burials, 45 of which had no grave goods. This is an unusually high proportion of inhumations; all of the other Roman burial grounds in Frankfurt contain about 10% inhumations. It is also unusual because it is located at the northwest corner of the ancient city rather than outside the walls along one of the major roads. The grave goods found in most of the inhumations are unusually fine compared to those found in other graves in ancient Frankfurt. There is a more glass of different types than was found in other burial grounds, a remarkably diverse assortment of jewelry (glass beads, jet, stone, rock crystal) and 14 pairs of shoes placed at the feet of the deceased.
But it was the silver amulet discovered in grave 134 that was the most exceptional artifact. It was found in the grave of a man about 35-45 years old when he died in around 230-260 A.D. The organic ribbon it was strung on is long gone, but the amulet was still nestled at the base of his neck. Even during the excavation, archaeologists could tell that it was amulet scroll with an inscription inside. Conservators at the Archaeological Museum in Frankfurt stabilized and studied it, examining it under a microscope and with X-rays and confirming there was an inscription engraved on it.
... Read the rest at the History Blog.
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