An archaeological revelation from Germany has sent ripples through the world of historical Christianity. Dubbed the “Frankfurt silver inscription”, this newly publicized artifact is rewriting the narrative of early Christian influence north of the Alps.
Discovered in 2018 in a third-century Roman grave in Hesse, Germany, the artifact has undergone years of analysis and was unveiled by the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum earlier this month.
The find is remarkable: a silver foil inscribed with 18 lines of Latin text, dated to between 230 and 260 A.D., making it the earliest known evidence of Christianity in the region. Wrapped in a small silver amulet, the inscription is explicitly Christian, beginning with a striking declaration: “In the name of Saint Titus, Holy, holy, holy! In the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Son!”
Unlike similar artifacts from the era, the inscription is devoid of syncretic religious elements. There are no mentions of Jewish traditions, Yahweh, or the archangels—elements commonly interwoven in early Christian practices. Pagan symbols, another frequent feature in artifacts of this kind, are also absent.
Instead, the message focuses solely on the protection offered by Jesus Christ, affirming faith in his divine authority: “The heavenly, the earthly and the underground, and every tongue confess (to Jesus Christ).”
The absence of other cultural or religious references underscores the artifact’s uniqueness. Scholars have noted that most amulets from this time were typically written in Greek or Hebrew and often displayed a blend of faiths, reflecting the transitional nature of early Christian communities. The Frankfurt silver inscription, however, stands as a rare example of purely Christian belief.
The journey to unlocking the text was as extraordinary as the find itself. Over nearly five years, experts employed advanced technology, including computed tomography, to “digitally unroll” the fragile foil, which had been crumpled for nearly two millennia.
Goethe University’s Markus Scholz, who led the translation, described the process as meticulous and groundbreaking. “Sometimes it took weeks, even months, for me to have the next idea,” Scholz said, crediting a multidisciplinary team for the breakthrough. The Latin inscription’s sophistication further attests to its author’s skill, hinting at an educated and possibly influential Christian scribe.
The artifact not only sheds light on the spread of Christianity but also offers a glimpse into how the faith was practiced in the northern reaches of the Roman Empire. The museum hailed the inscription as “one of the most important testimonies of early Christianity worldwide,” with its discovery bridging gaps in historical records. Previous archaeological evidence of Christianity in the region was significantly younger, dating to the fourth century or later.
As scholars continue to study the artifact, its implications for the history of early Christianity are profound. The Frankfurt silver inscription stands as a testament to the resilience and reach of early Christian faith, offering a tangible link to a transformative period in religious history. For now, the amulet rests as a quiet yet powerful voice from the past, declaring unwavering devotion in an era of change.
