Frankfurt silver inscription: Sensational find from antiquity discovered!

Frankfurt silver inscription: Sensational find from antiquity discovered!

The University of Frankfurt made a significant archaeological discovery with the discovery of a silver amulet known as the “Frankfurt Silver Inscription”. Today it is considered the oldest known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps. The inscription, which dates from the 3rd century AD, was discovered during excavations at a burial ground near the former Roman city of Nida, Frankfurt am Main. These important finds were presented to the public for the first time in December 2024 and are now part of the permanent exhibition of the Archaeological Museum Frankfurt.

During the excavations over an area of ​​500 m², the researchers discovered 127 burials. This included 113 inhumation graves and 14 cremation graves. The burial ground was known as “Heilmannstrasse” and had been known since the 19th century. The city of Nida, which existed from the mid-1st to the mid-3rd century, was the administrative seat of the Civitas Taunensium.

The contents of the silver inscription

The silver foil text, which is 91 mm long, contains 18 lines of engraving. This begins with the words: “In the name of Saint Titus, Holy, holy, holy, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God.” Further content of the text refers to the invocation of Jesus Christ and includes central beliefs such as the request that every tongue confess Jesus Christ. The inscription also contains a reference to a means of salvation for people who surrender to the will of Jesus, as well as the confession that before Jesus Christ all knees bow: heavenly, earthly and subterranean.

According to archaeologists, the inscription represents a significant source for the early spread of Christianity in Germany. While the oldest reliable evidence of Christian communities in Germany dates from the years 313 and 314, the Frankfurt silver inscription sheds new light on the beginnings of Christianity and its influence in the region. The unique design of the text, which is written exclusively in Latin and has no polytheistic content, could have an impact on the historiography of liturgy.

Archaeological finds in Germany

The discovery of the Frankfurt silver inscription is not the only notable find in Germany. Archaeologists regularly make discoveries that date back tens of thousands of years and thus enable conclusions to be drawn about the lives of people in the past. The five most spectacular finds include the Nebra Sky Disk and the Berlin Gold Hat, each of which documents the cultural and religious practices of the ancient peoples. The Venus from Hohle Fels, which is considered the earliest depiction of a human body found, also shows the diverse facets of human history.

The silver inscription and its fascinating contents not only provide insights into the religious beliefs of the people of this time, but also contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the cultural landscape of early Christianity in Germany. However, archaeologists and historians do not agree on the exact interpretation of the inscription and the amulet bearer's relationship to Christianity, which further fuels the discussion about this valuable find.

Overall, it can be said that the Frankfurt silver inscription is a remarkable historical relic that shapes both the archaeological and religious history of Germany. web.de and Wikipedia report in detail about the background and details of this discovery, while Volksfreund highlights the relevance of archaeological finds in Germany.