Archaeologists in Austria have unearthed a relic that will make even the most skeptical history buff raise an eyebrow: a 1,500-year-old artifact believed to depict Moses receiving the Ten Commandments and the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Talk about an ancient treasure hunt with a jackpot at the end!
During a dig at the summit of Burgbichl, a small hill in the municipality of Irschen, archaeologists from Innsbruck University stumbled upon a shrine containing an ancient ivory box. This box, adorned with intricate Christian motifs, is a find that echoes through the annals of history. And when did they first make this monumental discovery? August 2022. Yep, not even two years ago!
In a recent statement, the university revealed that these excavations have been ongoing in Irschen, part of the Carinthian Drava Valley, since 2016. These archaeologists have the patience of saints, unearthing layers of history one meticulous scoop at a time.
Lead archaeologist Gerald Grabherr shared some jaw-dropping details about the find. He mentioned that only about 40 such ivory boxes are known to exist worldwide. The last time one was found during an excavation was a century ago. Most of these rare pyxes are preserved in cathedral treasures or displayed in museums. So, this discovery is like striking gold.
One of the box’s motifs shows a man turning his head with a hand emerging from the sky above him, appearing to place something between the person’s arms. Grabherr explains that this is a classic depiction of God handing the laws to Moses on Mount Sinai—marking the start of the covenant between God and man, straight out of the Old Testament.
Another fascinating motif shows a man in a chariot pulled by two horses, with that same divine hand reaching down from the clouds, lifting a figure into Heaven. Grabherr believes this scene represents the Ascension of Christ, fulfilling the covenant with God. The depiction of both Old and New Testament scenes in this manner is typical of late antiquity. Still, using a two-horse chariot, or biga, in the Ascension is unique.
The site didn’t just give up one treasure, though. Researchers also discovered two Christian churches, a cistern, and personal belongings from the settlement’s previous inhabitants. It’s like a snapshot of ancient life frozen in time.
Grabherr provided some context for why these settlers were on the hilltop. At the end of the Roman Empire, people moved to hilltops for better defense, abandoning the more vulnerable valleys below. That makes sense.
Researchers will next investigate the origin of the ivory, the metallic components, and the wooden parts found in the marble box. This deep dive into the materials will reveal even more about the artifact’s storied past.
“The archaeological and art-historical significance of the pyx cannot be denied,” Grabherr concluded. And he’s right. This find is a beacon, shining a light on the rich tapestry of our shared history. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most incredible stories are waiting just beneath the surface, ready to be discovered.
