Mysterious 1,800-year-old silver amulet discovered in Germany could rewrite the history of Christianity in Europe
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It was last read by a human 1,800 years ago, when Christianity was regarded a burgeoning cult. Now, scientists have finally deciphered the 'Frankfurt silver inscription' – an 18-line engraving on a thin piece of foil, housed in a protective amulet. Measuring 1.4 inches (3.5cm) long, the 1,800-year-old silver amulet was found with the skeleton of a man at a burial site on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany.
![[Measuring 1.4 inches (3.5cm) long, the 1,800-year-old silver amulet was found with the remains of a man who died in the 3rd century AD]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/10/93188289-14196889-image-a-27_1734344627605.jpg)
Researchers have used CT scans to 'digitally unroll' the 'wafer thin' foil and read the inscription within for the first time since the 3rd century AD. Incredibly, the text represents the oldest known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, dating back to between 230 and 270 AD, scientists say.
![[Researchers have used CT scans to 'digitally unroll' the foil and read the inscription for the first time since the 3rd century AD]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/10/93188293-14196889-image-m-15_1734343946329.jpg)
At the time, Christianity was still spreading over Europe from its historical origin of Judaea in the Middle East. Described as 'purely Christian', the Latin text makes references to Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, as well as Saint Titus, an early Christian missionary and church leader.
![[The stunning ornament was taken from the grave of a man dated to between 230 and 270 AD]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/09/93187797-14196889-image-a-11_1734342643510.jpg)
Scroll down for the full translation – never before read by 21st century humans until now. The mysterious 1,800-year-old silver amulet was discovered in Germany in 2018 - but scientists have finally read the inscription within. Measuring 1.4 inches (3.5cm) long, the 1,800-year-old silver amulet was found with the remains of a man who died in the 3rd century AD.
![[The Roman Empire was a huge territorial empire that existed between 27 BC and AD 476, spanning across Europe and North Africa with Rome as its centre. This map marks out the Roman Empire in red at its greatest extent (117 AD)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/10/87150227-14196889-The_Roman_Empire_was_a_huge_territorial_empire_that_existed_betw-a-28_1734345642202.jpg)
The stunning findings were led by the Leibniz Center for Archaeology (LEIZA) in Mainz and published by the City of Frankfurt. 'The challenge in the analysis was that the silver sheet was rolled, but after around 1,800 years, it was of course also creased and pressed,' said Ivan Calandra, archaeologist at LEIZA.
![[The Latin text makes references to Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, as well as Saint Titus, an early Christian missionary and church leader (depicted here)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/11/93190711-14196889-the_Latin_text_makes_references_to_Lord_Jesus_Christ_Son_of_God_-a-31_1734347750269.jpg)
