Scientists find world's earliest Christ reference: 03-10-2008
Scientists in Egypt have found a bowl inscribed with the words 'DIA CHRSTOU O GOISTAIS' which translates roughly to 'by Christ the magician' or 'the magician by Christ'.
But before travellers in Egypt get too excitedr, it is worth noting that the bowl was made between 1,000 and 2,000 years after Christ's birth.
Archaeologists believe instead that the bowl could have been used in story telling and could very well be the earliest recorded reference to Jesus Christ to date.
Egyptologist David Fabre believes the artefact may have been used by a 'magus' to tell fortunes as the bowl is similar to one depicted in two early Egyptian statuettes.
"It has been known in Mesopotamia probably since the 3rd millennium BC," Mr Fabre said.
"The soothsayer interprets the forms taken by the oil poured into a cup of water in an interpretation guided by manuals."
The bowl was found in Alexandria and is currently on public display in Spain's Matadero Cultural Centre.
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