Archaeologists recently uncovered a jaw-dropping relic at the top of Burgbichl hill in Irschen, Austria—an ancient ivory box tucked beneath an altar in a chapel. Dating back around 1,500 years, this intricate box, or pyx, is adorned with Christian motifs that some say hint at a connection to the biblical story of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. But what exactly makes this find so extraordinary, and what could it tell us about the early Christian world?
A Discovery Right Out of the History Books
Imagine climbing up to a quiet chapel on a hill, untouched for centuries. That’s exactly where archaeologists from the University of Innsbruck found this shrine, hidden beneath layers of history. The discovery was announced just this month, adding another chapter to the long history of the Drava Valley, a region that has been yielding remarkable artifacts for years. Under the leadership of Gerald Grabherr, the team unearthed fragments of an ivory box resting inside a marble shrine. And this wasn’t just any box; it’s one of only about 40 known to exist worldwide, making it a rare gem in the world of archaeology.
“We haven’t seen anything like it in over a century,” Grabherr shared with palpable excitement, explaining that similar boxes are typically only found in cathedral treasuries or museum collections. Each ivory box, or pyx, has its own story, but the motifs on this particular one are what really set it apart.
Mysterious Motifs and Biblical Scenes
The carvings on the box hint at some powerful stories. One scene shows a man looking skyward, receiving something from a hand reaching down from the heavens. According to Grabherr, this image likely represents Moses receiving the laws on Mount Sinai, symbolizing the beginning of the covenant between God and humanity. It’s not every day that you find a 1,500-year-old “snapshot” of a pivotal biblical moment!
Another engraving shows a figure in a chariot pulled by two horses, with that same heavenly hand lifting him upwards. Experts suspect this could be an early depiction of Christ’s ascension, symbolizing the fulfillment of the covenant. The use of both Old and New Testament scenes on a single artifact reflects the art style of late antiquity, a period when Christianity was finding its identity amid the fading Roman Empire. But the chariot motif is particularly rare, and Grabherr noted that this combination of images was previously undocumented.
Digging Deeper: Churches, Cisterns, and Ancient Living
As if the ivory box wasn’t intriguing enough, the dig also revealed remnants of two early Christian churches, a cistern, and personal items from a settlement that once occupied the hilltop. It turns out that, toward the end of the Roman Empire, people moved to more defensible, elevated areas like Burgbichl to protect themselves in unstable times. Imagine the faith of those early settlers, bringing their treasures and stories up into the hills to guard them from whatever chaos might unfold below.
The Art and Mystery of Ivory Pyxes
If you’re wondering just how rare and valuable these ivory boxes are, here’s a quick snapshot of some famous ones:
- Pyxis of Zamora: Crafted in the 10th century under the Caliphate of Córdoba, this cylindrical box boasts intricate Arabic inscriptions and was once filled with cosmetics or jewelry for a royal concubine. Today, it sits in the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid.
- Leyre Casket: Originally created for a powerful caliph, this box was later used as a reliquary for saints’ remains. Adorned with scenes from courtly life, it’s now displayed in Pamplona, Spain.
- Brescia Casket: This late 4th-century ivory box, likely crafted in Milan, features 36 scenes of early Christian imagery, earning it a spot in the Santa Giulia Museum in Brescia, Italy. Scholars have spent decades analyzing its iconography to understand the religious symbolism of that era.
Each of these relics, just like the pyx in Austria, offers a window into the beliefs, artistry, and daily life of ancient civilizations.
The Significance of This Austrian Find
This recent discovery at Burgbichl Hill may still hold secrets waiting to be uncovered. Researchers are planning further investigations into the origin of the ivory and the metal and wood fragments found within the marble box. Could this shrine, with its intricate carvings and holy motifs, have held sacred relics or even fragments of early Christian scripture? Or might it have simply been a precious symbol of faith for the hill’s inhabitants?
While we don’t yet have all the answers, one thing is clear: the story of this 1,500-year-old ivory box is far from over. It has sparked fresh conversations about the spread of Christianity, the art and symbolism of late antiquity, and how ancient communities held onto their beliefs during tumultuous times. And who knows? Maybe this little ivory box, nestled under an altar on a forgotten hill, will continue to shed light on mysteries as old as faith itself.
