Archaeologists working at the ruins of an old church in Austria have uncovered a rare box hidden beneath the altar, a find that could reveal new details about early Christian worship and sacred relics. The object, known as a pyx, was discovered in fragments inside a marble shrine and is considered exceptionally uncommon.
The excavation has been underway since 2016 at a hilltop site in the municipality of Irschen. University of Innsbruck reported that researchers uncovered the marble container several years ago beneath the remains of the church altar, where it had remained buried for centuries.
What surprised archaeologists most was that the pyx had never been removed. These reliquary boxes were usually taken away when churches were abandoned. Excavation leader Gerald Grabherr explained that only around 40 ivory pyxes of this kind are known worldwide, and very few have ever been recovered directly during archaeological digs.
An Ivory Relic Box Damaged By Centuries Underground
The marble shrine measured around 20 by 30 centimeters and contained broken fragments of the ivory box, along with metal parts and pieces of wood. Time underground had badly affected the object.
Restoration specialist Ulrike Töchterle said ivory absorbs moisture from the surrounding soil, becoming soft and fragile over time. Some larger fragments had even warped, making it impossible for researchers to physically rebuild the pyx in its entirety.
“Due to the very high humidity of 90 per cent in the marble shrine immediately after salvage, the risk of condensation and mould formation was very high, and the contents could not be allowed to dry out too quickly. This meant we had to ensure a very careful and prolonged drying process,” she explained.
Instead, the team is developing a 3D reconstruction to better understand the object’s original appearance. That work began after a lengthy drying process intended to stabilize the ivory and limit further deterioration. In a statement shared by the University of Innsbruck, Grabherr noted that:
“As far as I know, the last time one of these was found during excavations was around 100 years ago – the few pyxes that exist are either preserved in cathedral treasures or exhibited in museums.”
Strange Biblical Imagery Appears On The Pyx
As researchers examined the carvings decorating the pyx, they identified scenes linking the Old Testament with the New Testament. One image appears to depict Moses receiving divine law on Mount Sinai, symbolized by a hand descending from the sky.
Several other biblical figures appear across the ivory panels before the artwork ends with a far more unusual scene. The final carving shows a man riding in a two-horse chariot while a hand emerging from the clouds pulls the vehicle upward toward heaven.
The research team believes the scene represents the Ascension of Christ. Grabherr noted that:
“The depiction of scenes from the Old Testament and their connection with scenes from the New Testament is typical of late antiquity and thus fits in with our pyx.” He added that: “However, the depiction of the Ascension of Christ with a so-called biga, a two-horse chariot, is very special and previously unknown.”
Ancient Box Contents Remain Unknown
The discovery has opened several ongoing investigations. Scientists are now analyzing the marble, the ivory, the metal hinges, and traces of glue used during the construction of the pyx.
Töchterle explained that stable isotope analyses could help determine where the ivory originated and possibly identify the elephant from which it came. Researchers are also examining the fragments of wood discovered alongside the reliquary.
The team suspects the wood may have belonged to the pyx’s original clasp mechanism. At the same time, archaeologists have not ruled out another possibility: the wood itself may have been the relic once stored inside the box.
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