English 
Spanish 
5 min read
0 comments
1.500-year-old Christian shrine reveals ivory box adorned with biblical motifs, connecting it to Moses and the Ten Commandments
Archaeologists in Irschen, a small village high on the Burgbichl hill in Austria, have made a discovery that could shed new light on the Christian history primitive. Beneath the altar of an ancient chapel, an excavation team found a marble shrine containing a 1.500-year-old ivory box adorned with Christian motifs.
This discovery, announced by the University of Innsbruck, is considered a significant find, as only about 40 boxes of this type have been found to date in the world.
"We know of about 40 such ivory boxes around the world.”, said Gerald Grabherr, the lead archaeologist on the dig. “The last time one of these images was found was about 100 years ago. The few pixels that have been found are in the treasuries of cathedrals or museums around the world.".
- Earn in dollars working from home: discover how to achieve financial freedom with remote jobs and 5x2 flexibility
- Read the 132-year-old message in a bottle found hidden in the walls of an ancient lighthouse
- 300 euros: New discovery in northern Luxembourg reveals Roman treasure with 141 gold coins, dated between 364 and 408 AD, and a fortification from the Late Roman Empire
- New FBI chief vows to expose 2 secret lists and change fate of 7.000 agents in radical reform plan
Biblical representations on the ivory box
The carved motifs on the case are particularly impressive and attract the attention of experts. One of the scenes depicted shows a man turning his head with a hand reaching down from the sky, placing something in his arms.
This image is interpreted as the delivery of laws to Moses, a central biblical event that marked the beginning of the covenant between God and men as described in the Old Testament.
Another intriguing motif depicts a man in a chariot pulled by two horses, with the same heavenly hand lifting him into the sky.
This scene is understood by researchers as a representation of the ascension of Christ, symbolizing the fulfillment of the divine covenant.
"The combination of scenes from the Old and New Testaments is a typical feature of late antique Christian art. However, the representation of the Ascension of Christ in a two-horse chariot is something extremely rare and unknown until now.”, highlighted Grabherr.
Additional findings and historical context
In addition to the ivory box, archaeologists found ruins of two Christian churches, a cistern and several personal belongings of the settlement's former inhabitants.
These findings suggest that at the end of the Roman Empire, when uncertainty was a constant, settlers chose to live in higher, more easily defensible areas rather than inhabiting valleys.
According to Grabherr, the investigations are not yet complete, and additional analyses will be carried out to determine the origin of the ivory and the metal and wooden components found with the box.
"The pyx’s artistic and artistic significance is undeniable. It offers a window into the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of early Christianity, revealing how religious practices evolved over time.”, concluded the archaeologist.
Other notable reliquary boxes from antiquity
The ivory boxes known as pyxes played important roles in the early Christian context. These objects were typically used to store sacred items, such as relics of saints or the consecrated Eucharistic bread. Here are some notable examples:
- Pyxis of Zamora
- Origin and data : Made in 964 AD, during the Caliphate of Córdoba.
- Current location : National Archaeological Museum of Madrid, Spain.
- Description and meaning : This cylindrical ivory box was commissioned by Caliph al-Hakam II as a gift for his concubine Subh. Its Arabic inscriptions detail its creation and dedication. Although it was probably used to store cosmetics or perfumes, the pyxis reflects the cultural sophistication of the time.
- Leyre coffin
- Origin and data : Produced in 1004/5 AD in the Caliphate of Córdoba.
- Current location : Museum of Navarra, in Pamplona, Spain.
- Description and meaning : This rectangular ivory reliquary is adorned with courtly scenes and inscriptions. Originally created for the political and military leader ʿAbd al-Malik al-Muẓaffar, the casket was later repurposed to hold the remains of Saints Nunilo and Alodia.
- Pyxis of Čierne Kľačany
- Origin and data : It is believed to have been made in the 4th century and brought to the region at the end of the 9th century.
- Place of discovery : Village of Čierne Kľačany, Slovakia.
- Description and meaning : This oval ivory box depicts scenes of everyday life, such as farming and animal husbandry, as well as a reference to the legend of the founding of Rome. It is believed to have been a gift to ruler Rastislav of Moravia.
- Brescia Coffin
- Origin and data : Created in the late 4th century, probably in Milan, Italy.
- Current location : Museum of Santa Giulia in Brescia, Italy.
- Description and meaning : This artist displays 36 scenes of early Christian iconography. The complex images have been studied by scholars, which are fundamental to understanding the evolution of religious art.
Importance of ivory pyxes to Christian history
These ivory reliquary boxes reveal much about the religious and cultural practices of their times. More than just containers, they were sacred and precious artifacts that carried deep spiritual meanings.
Each pyx, with its traditions and inscriptions, was a piece of communication with the sacred, reflecting the beliefs and values of early Christian communities.
The discovery in Irschen brings a new addition to this rare collection and provides new clues about the cultural and religious connections between the Old and New Testaments.
These relics, preserved over the centuries, continue to fascinate scholars and enrich our understanding of early Christian history.
Be the first to react!