Christian graffiti on sherds of amphorae

These pieces appeared in a large rubbish ditch from the 6th and 7th centuries AD in the late Roman site of Plans, next to a large Byzantine villa.

The first one represents a monogram of Christ (inv. no. Vilamuseu 003017). This ancient symbol unites the letters X (Chi) and P (Rho), which are the initials of the name of Christ in Greek. In the Vilajoiosa monogram the X is rotated vertically (+) and connects with the lower end of the P, something typical of Byzantine monograms of Christ. 

The other graffiti represents a fish (inv. no. Vilamuseu 003012). This figure appears in other Byzantine amphoras on the Iberian Peninsula, and is one of the most important early Christian symbols. The fish was called in Greek ΙΧΘΥΣ, and its initials match those of Ιησους (Iesous = Jesus) - Χριστος (Xristos = Christ) - Θεου (Theou = of God) - Υιος (Uios = Son) - Σωτηρ (Soter = Savior), that is, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, the Savior." For this reason, the fish was used as a symbol of Christ.

Both graffiti are the oldest direct Christian testimonies of Villajoyosa, from the 6th C., and constitute valuable traces of early Christianity in the Valencian Community. They were engraved on food containers to protect them during the sea voyage from North Africa.

(We thank the Spanish Ministry of Culture, which patronized the laboratory work in 2009; the archaeologist Gabriel Lara, who carried out the research with us, with the collaboration of cultural volunteers Francisco, Jorge and Xente Macià).