Ivory pyx found in the Austrian temple in the hills

Excavations on the delayed historic hill IrishSouthern Austria, revealed something unusual: marble cache about the altar holding a crushed but richly carved Ivory pyx– Little Christian Relic Dated 610. Only about forty such pyxs are known all over the world and it is First Found in archaeological context in Austria. Scientists say that paintings combine ancient and recent scenes in the New Testament in a way that you can't see before.

What the team found under the altar

Archaeologists discovered a sealed marble temple under the altar with a side chap. Inside there were dozens of distorted pieces of ivory, leftovers from a metal hinge and tiny fragments of wood. Pyx was once a “blessed” container in the church, it is probably a relic. However, when the side was abandoned around 610, the broken Pyx was buried on the spot instead of removal – presenting a uncommon shutter of early Christian practice.

Unique sculptures: Moses, divine hand and “ascension” with two horses

The preserved panels show the hand of God, which extends from the clouds to give Moses an act – the scene of the Old Testament carved in detail. On another part, the character is made towards the sky in They learnTwo chariot horses, again led by a divine hand. Scientists interpret it as A previously unknown way of presenting the Ascension of ChristAlthough Elijah's entrance is also discussed. Or reading is striking: it connects the covenant and fulfillment in will in one portable temple.

Restoration without breaking the past

Since the ivory has led moisture for centuries, the largest fragments are deformed. Physical re -assembly will damage them. That is why conservators do Virtual 3D reconstruction “Rebuild” the reliquary without stress. At the same time, laboratory teams conduct material tests – stable isotope tests on ivory and marble, hinge metal analysis and wood identification – to track trade routes and workshops that can explain how such a sophisticated object reached the mountain church on the edge of the empire.

Why the find matters

• Rarity: Very few ivory pyxes will survive; Most sit in the treasures of the cathedral without the context of the excavation.
• Iconography: The “Ascension” motif with two ends is so far, unique. It can reflect local theology, craft creativity or workshop tradition to be mapped.
• Frontier Christianity: The sanctuary freezes the moment when the Christianity of the Mediterranean still reached the Alpine valleys – just before the region's shock around 610 changed faith, population and art.

What next

Expect a full digital model, recent high -resolution panel renderings and comparative tests with museum pixes. These steps should explain the scenes, the craft hand and the origin of Pyx-whether the North African, Italian or other delayed Antique center, which mentioned the carved ivory of the community far beyond the ancient borders of Rome.

Fast Voiceman

Pyx (pyxis): A tiny round box, often made of ivory or noble bone, used to store relics or consecrated hosts. In delayed antiquity, pixates were often decorated with biblical scenes.

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