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Archaeologists Discover One Of The Oldest Illustrations Of Jesus, And It Might Change Your Image Of Him

October 8, 2014

Archaeologists unearthed a glass plate in southern Spain dating back to the 4th century, one of the world's earliest representations of Jesus Christ.

JOSE MANUEL PEDROSA

Measuring 22 centimetres in diameter, the plate shows three beardless men with short hair and halos over their heads. This clean shaven, short hair look is in direct contrast with modern depictions of Jesus, which depict him with long hair and a beard.

The Forum MMX team have been able to establish the paten was made in the 300s thanks to coins and ceramic objects found at the same site.

"We know it dates back to the 4th century, in part because popes in the following centuries ordered all patens to be made out of silver," Marcelo Castro, head of the Forum MMX excavation project, added.

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According to Castro, the figures are Jesus and the apostles Paul and Peter and it was used to serve bread to the Holy Eucharist.

The plate is now on display in the archaeology museum in Linares, Andalusia.

Sources: The Guardian, The Local