A group of archaeologists from the University of Innsbruck made a revolutionary discovery during excavations of a church in southern Austria. Excavations uncovered a marble shrine containing a 1,500-year-old ivory box decorated with Christian motifs. This relic, believed to be associated with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, is of great significance due to the rarity of sacred early Christian artifacts.
Austria offers breathtaking landscapes, from the majestic Alps to serene lakes, which are ideal for such outdoor adventures like skiing and hiking. Visitors can explore stately castles and palaces, and now the recent archaeological discovery of a 1,500-year-old ivory casket associated with Moses adds another layer of historical intrigue.
Gerald Grabherr, leading archaeologist, explains the rarity of this find and says: “We know of about 40 of these ivory boxes around the world, and, as far as I know, the last time one of them was found during an excavation was about 100 years ago. The few existing pyxes are either kept in cathedral treasuries or displayed in museums.”
Grabherr further emphasized the sacredness and significance of the pyx. He added: “It is likely that the pix was considered sacred and treated as such because it was in contact with the relic. The archaeological and historical-artistic significance of the pyx cannot be denied.”
A box with intricate carvings was discovered under the altar in a chapel located on the top of Burgbrohl, a small hill in the municipality of Irschen. The University of Innsbruck has been excavating this site in the Carinthian Drava Valley since 2016. The box depicts Moses making the laws on Mount Sinai, symbolizing the beginning of the covenant between God and man in the Old Testament.
Providing historical context for the discovery, Grabherr stated: “Towards the end of the Roman Empire, times became more uncertain, especially in the peripheral provinces of the empire, including what is now Austria. From about the 4th century, inhabitants increasingly founded settlements on the hilltops, which were easier to defend, and abandoned the valley."
This find not only adds valuable value to the collection of early Christian relics artifact, but also sheds light on historical and cultural shifts during the late Roman Empire. Discovering this ivory box with its deep religious symbolism and exceptional skillfully highlights the rich historical significance of the region and the importance of continued archaeological research.
Source: timesofindia
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