Archaeologists have unearthed a monumental religious artifact in Austria, hidden within the ruins of an early Christian church. This extraordinary find is a 1,500-year-old ivory box adorned with Christian motifs, including a vivid depiction of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, as detailed in the Old Testament. Additionally, it features imagery of saints and the ascension of Christ. This discovery is monumental due to the rarity of such ancient Christian relics, with only around 40 known examples worldwide. The last similar find occurred nearly a century ago.
Lead archaeologist Gerald Grabherr remarked on the rarity and significance of the discovery, noting that such a find is a once-in-a-lifetime event for archaeologists. The ivory box is believed to have been crafted shortly after Roman Emperor Constantine the Great’s conversion to Christianity and the subsequent Edict of Milan in 313 AD, which legalized the religion.
The discovery was made by a team from the University of Innsbruck, who were excavating the site of an early Christian church on the Burgbichl in the municipality of Irschen, southern Austria. This region, once part of the Roman Empire, likely had a pagan sanctuary before the church was established. The archaeologists found the artifact in a pit-like depression beneath what was once an altar, sealed by a large stone. Upon lifting the stone, they uncovered the marble box housing the broken ivory pyx.
Despite being found in pieces, the box was originally a perfect circle, held together by metal and clasped with wood. The artifact, believed to be the holiest object in the church, should have been taken when the church was abandoned, leaving researchers puzzled as to why it remained.
The detailed carvings on the box depict bearded men in long robes, showcasing scenes from both the Old and New Testaments. While the interpretation of the scenes is still under discussion, archaeologists believe one shows Moses receiving the laws from God or parting the Red Sea. Another scene likely depicts Jesus’ resurrection, featuring a figure being pulled up by a hand extending from a cloud, symbolizing God’s hand.
Dr. Barbara Kainrath, involved in the research, explained that the hand of God is a central element in the depiction of the ascension, accompanied by horses and a chariot wheel. This imagery might be linked to passages in the Bible, such as Revelation 19:11 and the account of Elijah’s ascension in the Second Book of Kings.
The ivory pyx was likely not crafted in Irschen due to the absence of suitable materials and the high quality of workmanship. Researchers suggest it was made in a major urban center, possibly Alexandria, Ravenna, or Aquileia. The box was found in several fragments, indicating it might have been broken before being placed in the marble shrine.
Dr. Ulrike Tochterle suggested the relic might have been tampered with, as parts were missing, including fittings and portions of the relief. The church itself was approximately 60 feet long, with burials found to the south and west. The remains of three adults, a teenager, and four children were uncovered, believed to belong to the social upper class of the region during late antiquity, between the 3rd and 7th centuries AD.
