A silver cross regarded as one of the most important early Christian artefacts found in Britain is a modern fake, scientists confirmed yesterday. The Chi-Rho Amulet, which bears an early Christian symbol incorporating the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek, was found in a 4th-century Roman grave near the Somerset town of Shepton Mallet in 1990.Tests carried out by Dr Matthew Ponting, from the University of Liver-pool, revealed that the silver used to make the cross is of 19th-century origin. The test, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), examined impurities in the metal. It also established thatsilver used to make the cross and the pierced disc that bears the Chi-Rho inscription comes from two sources.Suspicion is focusing on protesters who opposed construction of a vast drinks warehouse on the site beside the Fosse Way, an Ancient Roman road.
The discovery of the amulet 18 years ago caused a sensation in Shepton Mallet. An entertainment complex and a street were named after it and a replica was presented to George Carey (now Lord Carey of Clifton), who wore it at his enthronement as Archbishop of Canterbury in 1991.
Jeanette
Marsh, deputy leader of the town council, said: “It’s like the magic
has been removed from Shepton Mallet. I’m not sure there’ll be any need
to change any names in the town but it’s a shame the myth of the amulet
has now burst.
“It was part of thetown’s
claim to fame, though the revelation that it’s a fake won’t come as a
surprise to many people. When the amulet was first discovered it was
felt it may have been placed there as a joke. But we’re still proud of
Shepton and its Roman heritage.”
Stephen Minnitt, acting
head of the Somerset museum service, said: “Following detailed analysis
of the Shepton Mallet amulet Somerset County Council can confirm that
the artefact is almost certainly not the rare Christian artefact it was
first believed to be. Experts are now 99 per cent certain the amulet is
not genuine.”
He appealed for the faker
to come forward to solve the mystery. “It was deliberately planted. It
didn’t get there by accident. There was a lot of local concern over the
fact that the site was being destroyed and there was quite a lotof
lo......
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63(63/0) 
First Jesus-era house found in Nazareth
Blood runs from image of Christ
The man who sees Virgin Mary every day
Couple finds image of Jesus in wooden chair
Jesus Christ Vs. Jerusalem!
The legend of Jesus great-grandmother
Saints buried alive in ancient Rome
Workers see Virgin Mary in sandpit
Callers phone up church angel in Netherlands
