Archaeologists from Innsbruck University, conducting excavations at a church site in southern Austria, have uncovered a significant find—a marble shrine housing a relic possibly linked to Moses receiving the Ten Commandments.

The discovery, made under an altar inside a chapel atop Burgbichl hill in Irschen, includes a 1,500-year-old ivory box adorned with Christian motifs.

This rare find, one of about 40 known globally, features depictions interpreted as scenes from both the Old and New Testaments, including the handing over of laws to Moses and the ascension of Christ in a unique chariot motif.

The excavation, ongoing since 2016 in the Carinthian Drava Valley, also revealed two ancient Christian churches, a cistern, and personal artifacts, shedding light on settlement patterns during the late Roman Empire, Fox News has reported.

Further research aims to explore the origins and materials of the shrine’s components, offering insights into early Christian practices in the region.

Written by B.C. Begley