A remarkable archaeological discovery in Germany has unearthed the oldest known written evidence of Christianity north of the Alps. Unveiled by German archaeologists, a miniature scroll, found inside a silver amulet, dates back to the third century AD.
A Tiny Scroll, a Huge Revelation
This tiny scroll, measuring a mere 3.5cm across, was discovered six years ago nestled within a silver amulet worn by a man buried between 230 and 270 AD outside Frankfurt, within the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Nida. Researchers believe this extraordinary find sheds new light on the early spread of Christianity.
Using experimental computer tomography, scientists were able to digitally “unroll” the scroll, revealing an 18-line message dedicated to “Saint Titus”. The message reads:
“Holy, holy, holy! In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God!”
“Salvation protects the person who surrenders himself to the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God”
Professor Markus Scholz, an archaeologist and expert on Latin inscriptions at Frankfurt’s Goethe University, commented: “Normally, such inscriptions in amulets were written in Greek or Hebrew,” highlighting the significance of finding Latin used in this era.
The inscription’s intricate language suggests that the author was likely a highly educated scribe, adding another layer of intrigue to this extraordinary discovery.
A Rare Burial Ritual
Adding to the significance of the discovery, the discovery also points to the man’s Christian faith as being relatively uncommon in this region at the time. It’s equally unusual for a burial to occur outside cremation. Furthermore, finding the inscription entirely in Latin is even rarer.
Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef proclaimed the discovery, dubbed the “Frankfurt Inscription,” as a “sensation”, stating, “It will force us to wind back the history of Christianity in Frankfurt – and far beyond – by around 50 to 100 years. The first Christian find north of the Alps comes from our city. We can be proud of that, especially now, so close to Christmas.”
This extraordinary discovery prompts further exploration of early Christian history and challenges existing historical narratives. Future research on the scroll, the amulet, and its context promise to reveal more fascinating details about early Christian practices north of the Alps.
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