An extraordinary archaeological discovery in Germany has shed new light on the early spread of Christianity in the Roman Empire – as it is being tipped to rewrite history in the process.
Researchers have been studying a 1,800-year-old silver amulet first discovered beneath a skeleton’s chin in a cemetery outside Frankfurt.
The amulet, measuring just 1.4 inches (3.5 centimetres) in length, was carefully examined using cutting-edge CT scanning technology, which revealed a tiny scroll inside the silver.
Upon digitally unrolling it, researchers found an unusual Latin inscription, offering a rare glimpse into the Christian beliefs of the time. According to the study’s findings, this discovery could drastically alter the historical timeline of Christianity’s spread across Europe.
Tine Rassalle, an independent biblical archaeologist who was not involved in the study, told the LiveScience website: “This takes our understanding of Western Christianisation and Christian monotheism to a whole new level.
“What makes this particular example remarkable is that it is written entirely in Latin and exclusively invokes Jesus Christ and the Christian God.”
The amulet was found in the grave of a man who probably died between AD 230 and 270, suggesting that the wearer was a devout Christian at a time when practising the faith openly could be dangerous.
Christianity, which was still in its early stages in the Roman Empire, was often persecuted, especially during the reign of Emperor Nero, who infamously targeted Christians in the first century. Researchers say that this man’s burial with the amulet is a likely indication of the depth of his commitment to Christianity.
In an era where medical knowledge was limited, amulets like this one were widely thought to offer protection from misfortune, illness, and even demonic forces.
Ms Rassalle explained: “The purpose of these amulets, also known as phylacteries, was to protect or heal their owners from a range of misfortunes, such as illnesses, bodily aches, infertility, or even demonic forces.
“In an era without advanced medical knowledge, such items were vital sources of comfort and security for you and your loved ones.”
She continued: “These amulets were widely used in Late Antiquity, especially in the eastern Mediterranean world but they are much rarer in the western Roman world. The discovery of this amulet in Germany suggests that Christian ideas had already begun to penetrate areas far from Christianity’s early centres of growth.”
Found in 2018 during an excavation of a Roman-era cemetery, the amulet was not the only item uncovered.
Archaeologists also discovered an incense bowl and a pottery jug in the same grave. However, the silver amulet drew particular attention due to its exceptional historical and religious significance.
Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef said: “The ‘Frankfurt inscription’ is a scientific sensation. Thanks to it, the history of Christianity in Frankfurt and far beyond will have to be turned back by around 50 to 100 years. The first Christian find north of the Alps comes from our city: we can be proud of this, especially now, so close to Christmas.”
This find is not the first of its kind; a similar amulet was discovered in Bulgaria in 2023, also dated to roughly the same period. However, the Frankfurt amulet is unique for its exclusive Christian references and the absence of pagan or Jewish elements typically found in early Christian artefacts.
The discovery of inscription will likely have profound implications for understanding early Christianity’s spread across Europe.
Historians may soon be able to piece together an even more complex and nuanced picture of the Roman Empire’s history and the role Christianity played in its transformation.
