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Oldest Evidence of Christianity North of Alps Found in Germany

Dec 15, 2024, 07:53 PM

Archaeologists have unearthed a significant artifact near Frankfurt, Germany, dating back to the early third century. A scroll found within a silver amulet, discovered in a Roman cemetery in Nida, contains an inscription in Latin, invoking Jesus Christ and Saint Titus. This find, known as the 'Frankfurt silver inscription,' provides the oldest-known evidence of Christian communities living north of the Alps, predating other known evidence by approximately 50 to 100 years. The artifact, estimated to be around 1,800 years old, belonged to a man who was between 35 and 45 years old at the time of his death. The scroll was digitally unrolled using advanced computer tomography, revealing its 18-line-long inscription. The discovery has been described as a 'scientific sensation' by Frankfurt's mayor, Mike Josef, highlighting its importance to the cultural and historical heritage of the city.