Early Medieval Christian Artefact Uncovered at Hadrian’s Wall

A fascinating find! A 6th century Chalice made of lead. Of course, we didn't realise just how poisonous lead is in the 6th century.

From Medievalists.net

Archaeologists working at Vindolanda, a Roman-era fort along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, have discovered the remains of a Christian chalice. They believe the artefact dates back to the 5th or 6th century, and is the only surviving object of its kind from this period in Britain and a rare example of early medieval Christian artwork.

During a recent archaeological dig of a rubble filled building, now known to be the remains of a 6th century Christian church, the researchers across 14 fragmentary remains of an incredibly rare lead Christian cup or chalice. Although in very poor condition due to its proximity to the surface of the ground, each fragment of the vessel was found to be covered by lightly etched symbols, each representing different forms of Christian iconography from the time.

The marks appear to have been added, both to the outside and the inside of this cup, by the same hand or artist and although they are now difficult to see with the naked eye, with the aid of specialist photography, the symbols have been carefully recorded and work has started on a new journey of discovery to unlock their meanings. The etchings include some well-known symbols from the early church including ships, crosses and chi-rho, fish, a whale, a happy bishop, angels, members of a congregation, letters in Latin, Greek and potentially Ogam.

Photo courtesy The Vindolanda Trust

“This is a really exciting find from a poorly understood period in the history of Britain,” explains David Petts from Durham University, who is leading the analysis of the object. “Its apparent connections with the early Christian church are incredibly important, and this curious vessel is unique in a British context. It is clear that further work on this discovery will tell us much about the development of early Christianity in beginning of the medieval period.”

The chalice now forms the central piece for a new exhibition in Vindolanda’s museum which highlights Christianity and the last periods of occupation on the site which opens on 31st August 2020.

2020.

Vindolanda’s Director of Excavations and CEO, Andrew Birley led the team working on the site of the discovery is delighted by the significance of the find. “We are used to first’s and the wow factor from our impressive Roman remains at Vindolanda with artefacts such as the ink tablets, boxing gloves, boots and shoes, but to have an object like the chalice survive into the post-Roman landscape is just as significant,” he says. “Its discovery helps us appreciate how the site of Vindolanda and its community survived beyond the fall of Rome and yet remained connected to a spiritual successor in the form of Christianity which in many ways was just as wide reaching and transformative as what had come before it. I am delighted that we can now start to share our news about this discovery and shed some light on an often-overlooked period of our heritage and past”.

Please visit The Vindolanda Trust website for more details about the exhibition and other recent finds.

Top Image: Photo courtesy The Vindolanda Trust