As per the latest development, a team of archaeologists from the University of Innsbruck made a groundbreaking discovery while excavating a church site in southern Austria. The excavation unearthed a marble shrine containing a 1,500-year-old ivory box embellished with Christian motifs. This relic, thought to be associated with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, holds immense significance due to the rarity of sacred early Christian artifacts.
Austria offers breathtaking landscapes, from the majestic Alps to serene lakes, ideal for outdoor adventures like skiing and hiking. Rich in history and culture, visitors can explore grand castles and palaces, and now, the recent archaeological discovery of a 1,500-year-old ivory box linked to Moses adds another layer of historical intrigue.
Gerald Grabherr, the lead archaeologist, explains the rarity of this find, and says “We know of around 40 ivory boxes of this kind worldwide, and as far as I know, the last time one was found during excavations was around 100 years ago. The few pyxes that exist are either preserved in cathedral treasures or exhibited in museums.”
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Grabherr further stressed the sacredness and significance of the pyx. He added, “The pyx was presumably seen as sacred and treated as such because it was in contact with a relic. The archaeological and art-historical significance of the pyx cannot be denied.”
The intricately carved box was discovered beneath an altar within a chapel situated atop Burgbrohl, a small hill in the municipality of Irschen. The University of Innsbruck has been excavating this area, part of the Carinthian Drava Valley, since 2016. The box features a depiction of Moses receiving the laws on Mount Sinai, representing the beginning of the covenant between God and man from the Old Testament.
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While providing context on the historical setting of the discovery, Grabherr stated, “Towards the end of the Roman Empire, times became more uncertain, especially in the peripheral provinces of the empire, including the area that is now Austria. From around the 4th century, inhabitants increasingly founded settlements on hilltops that were easier to defend and left the valley floor.”
This find not only adds a valuable artifact to the collection of early Christian relics, but also sheds light on the historical and cultural shifts during the late Roman Empire. The discovery of this ivory box, with its profound religious symbolism and exceptional craftsmanship, highlights the rich historical importance of the region and stresses the importance of continued archaeological exploration.