Ancient silver amulet found in Germany may reshape understanding of early Christianity

A silver amulet, found in a grave in Germany, is now considered the oldest evidence of Christianity north of the Alps, dating back 1,800 years. Researchers digitally unrolled the amulet to reveal a unique Latin inscription. The amulet was discovered in a cemetery near Frankfurt, belonging to a man who died between A.D. 230 and 270. Its Latin text, invoking Jesus Christ, is unusual as most similar artifacts feature Greek or Hebrew inscriptions. This finding may change historians' views on early Christianity's spread in the Roman Empire. The amulet's purely Christian message and its location suggest that Christian beliefs were present in areas far from their origins.