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An 1.800-year-old amulet found by archaeologists could shed new light on the arrival and spread of Christianity in Europe
It was last read 1.800 years ago, when Christianity was still an emerging cult. Now, scientists have finally deciphered the famous “Frankfurt silver inscription” – an engraving of 18 lines on a thin sheet of silver, preserved in a protective amulet.
The object, measuring 3,5 cm long, was found in an ancient cemetery on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany.
A man's skeleton was discovered alongside the amulet, prompting researchers to use CT scanning to “unroll digitally” the fragile surface of the piece.
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The result is impressive: the text represents the oldest evidence of pure Christianity north of the Alpes, dating from 230 to 270 AD
At the time, Christianity was just beginning to spread across Europe. Originating in Judea in the Middle East, it was considered a cult subject to persecution. The discovery of the amulet is a historic milestone.
What does the inscription say?
Described as “purely Christian“, the text is written in Latin and makes references to the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, and to Saint Titus, an early Christian missionary and church leader. This is a notable difference:
"Such inscriptions on amulets were usually made in Greek or Hebrew,” explained Professor Markus Scholz, an archaeologist at Goethe University in Frankfurt.
Another peculiarity is the lack of pagan or Jewish references, common in this type of artifact until the 5th century. Demons, archangels, or biblical characters such as Isaac or Jacob are absent.
Context of discovery
The amulet was found in 2018 in the ancient Roman city of Nida, which is now the site of modern-day Frankfurt. It was positioned under the chin of the buried man, suggesting it was likely worn around the neck for protection in the afterlife.
Next to the body, there was also an incense bowl and a clay jar, possible personal belongings of the deceased.
The tomb was dated between 230 and 270 AD, a time of peril for Christians. Paganism and Judaism were dominant, and declaring oneself a follower of Christ could have serious consequences.
Ivan Calandra, an archaeologist at the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (LEIZA), led the deciphering process.
"The challenge was that the silver leaf was rolled and after 1.800 years it was also very creased and pressed", he said.
The solution came through high-resolution computed tomography scans, which allowed the creation of a 3D model of the inscription.
The team reconstructed each segment virtually, fitting the pieces together like a puzzle.
"It was a meticulous work that involved experts in the history of theology and linguistics,” said Scholz. The result was the deciphering of the message hidden for almost two millennia.
Hidden Christianity
In the third century, Christianity was still considered an underground religion. Persecution was common, and there is little archaeological evidence of Christianity in Roman territory outside the Middle East.
That is why the discovery of the amulet in Frankfurt is so significant. It suggests that Christians not only lived north of the Alps much earlier than previously thought, but also had an independent expression of faith, represented by the purely and exclusively Christian inscription.
The impact of the discovery
Frankfurt Mayor Mike Josef called the find “a scientific sensation”:
"This will force us to push back the history of Christianity in Frankfurt and beyond by about 50 to 100 years.. "
Dr. Ina Hartwig, head of culture and science in Frankfurt, highlighted the multidisciplinary importance of the discovery:
"ItIt affects archaeology, religious studies, philology and anthropology. Such a significant discovery here is truly extraordinary."
The find also opens the way for further research. If a Christian was buried with such a distinctive amulet, it suggests the presence of an organized Christian community in the region.
The inscription and the story
Until now, evidence of Christianity in Roman territory has been concentrated in regions such as Rome, Antioch and Alexandria. The existence of this amulet in Frankfurt challenges the geographical and temporal limits of this story. The man buried there could be one of the earliest known Christians north of the Alps.
Researchers believe that other archaeological sites may contain similar clues. This type of object is extremely rare, especially in such an ancient Roman context.
“We may have only scratched the surface of Christian evidence in ancient Europe,” the scientists concluded.
The 'Frankfurt Silver Inscription' translated
(In the name?) of Saint Titus.
Holy, holy, holy!
In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God!
The Lord of the world
resists with [forces?]
all attacks(?)/reversals(?).
The God(?) grants
entrance to well-being.
May this means of salvation(?) protect
the man who
surrenders at will
of the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
since before Jesus Christ
every knee will bow: those in heaven, those on earth
and those
under the earth, and every tongue
confesses (Jesus Christ).
