Unearthed 1,500-Year-Old Artifact May Hold Clues to the Past: Possibly tied to Moses & Ten Commandments

What untold stories could it reveal about life, faith, and artistry in ancient times? 

Archaeologists in Austria have unearthed a fascinating 1,500-year-old reliquary, an ornate container designed to hold sacred objects.¹

This ancient find offers a glimpse into a world long gone. 

Marble Shrine & Ivory Box

On August 4th, 2022, archaeologists led by Gerald Grabherr unearthed a remarkable artifact within an early Christian church in southern Austria. Concealed beneath an altar in the Burgbichl municipality of Irschen, a marble shrine containing a fragmented ivory pyx, or reliquary, was discovered. 

This ornately decorated pyx, typically removed when a church is abandoned, was left behind. This discovery marks the first of its kind in Austria. “We know of around 40 ivory boxes of this kind worldwide… the few pyxes that exist are either preserved in cathedral treasures or exhibited in museums,” Grabherr explains, emphasizing the rarity of this archaeological find.^(ref)

Motifs on the Ivory Box

According to the press release from the University of Innsbruck, the ivory box features various biblical depictions:^(ref)

• Moses Receiving the Ten Commandments: One motif portrays a man receiving an object from a hand extending from the sky, interpreted as the handing over of the laws to Moses on Mount Sinai.
• Ascension of Christ: Another motif depicts a man in a chariot being pulled into the heavens by a hand from the clouds, suggesting the ascension of Christ. This specific depiction is unique and previously unknown.

Other Discoveries at the Site

Since 2016, archaeologists from the University of Innsbruck have been excavating a forgotten late antique hilltop settlement in Irschen, a municipality in southern Austria. This extensive site, spanning approximately two and a half acres, was abandoned around 610 AD and had remained hidden until now. 

The excavations have unearthed various structures, including several dwellings, two Christian churches, and a cistern. Additionally, personal belongings of the former inhabitants have been found, with a star-shaped baptismal font and a reliquary discovered in one of the churches.

Further Investigation

Researchers are conducting further analysis of the ivory box, its metal components, and the wooden elements found within. The archaeological and art-historical importance of this discovery is undeniable.

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So, what’s happening?

• Don’t Miss: 7 Reasons Why Americans Are Abandoning Their Churches

Source:

1. University of Innsbruck