Dresden, Germany- The interior of the restored Dresden Cathedral.
Credit: Shutterstock, Ondrej Bucek
A small silver amulet unearthed in Germany is causing a massive stir among historians and archaeologists. Dubbed the “Frankfurt Inscription,” this 1,800-year-old relic is the earliest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, and experts say it could reshape our understanding of the faith’s spread in the Roman Empire.
Unearthing the past
Found alongside a skeleton in a cemetery on Frankfurt’s outskirts, the amulet measures a mere 1.4 inches but holds monumental significance. Buried with a man who lived between AD 230 and 270, it was likely worn on a cord around his neck and placed below his chin in the grave.
Its tiny scroll of wafer-thin silver foil, digitally unrolled using cutting-edge CT scans, revealed an 18-line Latin inscription dedicated solely to Jesus Christ and the Christian God. Researchers say this makes it a rare find -most similar amulets mix Christian elements with Jewish or pagan references.
‘Holy, holy, holy!’
The inscription, deciphered by Professor Markus Scholz from Goethe University in Frankfurt, includes early Christian phrases such as “Holy, holy, holy!” and a line from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. These words predate their earliest known Christian use by nearly a century.
“This amulet is an academic sensation,” gushed Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef. “It rewrites the history of Christianity in our city and beyond. We can take pride in this find, especially as Christmas approaches.”
Faith under fire
Life as a Christian in the Roman Empire was far from heavenly. Early believers faced gruesome persecution, with some crucified or thrown into gladiatorial arenas. By the third century, Christianity’s underground growth was a delicate balancing act of faith and fear.
The Frankfurt amulet’s burial location and purely Christian inscription underline its significance. “This man’s faith clearly meant everything to him,” researchers noted.
Across the empire
While similar amulets have turned up around Europe – such as a 2023 find in Bulgaria -this one’s unique. Unlike its Bulgarian counterpart, which mentioned archangels and other protective elements, the Frankfurt amulet focuses entirely on Jesus Christ.
“It’s an extraordinary example of early Christian monotheism,” remarked biblical archaeologist Tine Rassalle. “Christianity was already reaching areas far from its Mediterranean roots much earlier than we thought.”
A Christmas revelation
Unearthed in 2018 but only recently analysed, the amulet’s discovery relied on meticulous restoration by the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology (LEIZA) in Mainz. Modern technology brought the fragile artifact back to life, revealing secrets that had remained hidden for nearly two millennia.
As scholars rush to examine its implications, one thing is clear: this silver scroll is pure gold for the history books. Could this ancient trinket be the ultimate Christmas miracle? Only time – and more discoveries – will tell.
Read more news in English from around Germany.
Find more news from around Spain.
