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Christian Sanctuary of 1,500 Years Reveals Ivory Box Adorned with Biblical Motifs, Connecting It to Moses and the Ten Commandments
Archaeologists in Irschen, a small village atop the Burgbichl hill in Austria, made a discovery that may shed new light on early Christian history. Beneath the altar of an ancient chapel, an excavation team found a marble sanctuary 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 worldwide to date worldwide.
“We know of about 40 ivory boxes of this type worldwide,” said Gerald Grabherr, the chief archaeologist of the excavation. “The last time one of these images was found was around 100 years ago. The few pieces found are in cathedral treasures or museums around the world.”
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Biblical Representations on the Ivory Box
The motifs carved on the box are particularly impressive and catch the attention of experts. One of the scenes depicted shows a man turning his head with a hand descending from the sky, placing something in his arms.
This image is interpreted as the delivery of the laws to Moses, a central biblical event that marked the beginning of the covenant between God and humanity, as described in the Old Testament.
Another intriguing motif depicts a man in a chariot pulled by two horses, with the same celestial hand lifting him to 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 Testament is a typical feature of late antique Christian art. However, the representation of the Ascension of Christ in a chariot of two horses is something extremely rare and unknown until now,” highlighted Grabherr.
Additional Discoveries and Historical Context
In addition to the ivory box, archaeologists found the ruins of two Christian churches, a cistern, and several personal belongings of the ancient inhabitants of the settlement.
These finds suggest that, at the end of the Roman Empire, when uncertainty was a constant, settlers chose to live in higher and more defensible areas instead of inhabiting the valleys.
According to Grabherr, investigations are not yet complete, and additional analyses will be conducted to determine the origin of the ivory and the metal and wooden components found alongside the box.
“The destroyed artistic significance of this pyx 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 Reliquaries from Antiquity
Ivory boxes known as pyxes played important roles in the context of early Christianity. These objects were typically used to hold sacred items, such as relics of saints or the consecrated Eucharistic bread. Below are some notable examples:
- Pyxis of Zamora
- Origin and Details: Made in 964 AD during the Caliphate of Córdoba.
- Current Location: National Archaeological Museum of Madrid, Spain.
- Description and Significance: This cylindrical ivory box was commissioned by Caliph al-Hakam II as a gift for his concubine Subh. Its inscriptions in Arabic detailed its creation and dedication. Although it was likely used to hold cosmetics or perfumes, the pyxis reflects the cultural sophistication of the time.
- Silver Reliquary
- Origin and Details: Produced in 1004/5 AD in the Caliphate of Córdoba.
- Current Location: Museum of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
- Description and Significance: This rectangular ivory reliquary is adorned with scenes from the court and inscriptions. Originally created for the political and military leader ʿAbd al-Malik al-Muẓaffar, the reliquary was later repurposed to hold the remains of saints Nunilo and Alodia.
- Pyxis of Čierne Kľačany
- Origin and Details: Believed to have been made in the 4th century and brought to the region in the late 9th century.
- Place of Discovery: Village of Čierne Kľačany, Slovakia.
- Description and Significance: This oval ivory box features scenes of everyday life, such as agriculture and livestock, as well as a reference to the legend of the founding of Rome. It is believed to have been a gift to the ruler Rastislav of Moravia.
- Brescia Reliquary
- Origin and Details: Created in the late 4th century, likely in Milan, Italy.
- Current Location: Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia, Italy.
- Description and Significance: This artist displays 36 scenes of early Christian iconography. The complex images have been studied by scholars, who are instrumental in understanding the evolution of religious art.
Importance of Ivory Pyxes in Christian History
These ivory reliquary boxes reveal much about the religious and cultural practices of their times. More than mere containers, they were sacred and precious artifacts that carried profound spiritual meanings.
Each pyx, with its traditions and inscriptions, served as a piece of communication with the sacred, reflecting the beliefs and values of early Christian communities.
The discovery in Irschen adds a new piece 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.
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