Came across this little jem today...A team of scientists led by renowned French marine archaeologist Franck Goddio recently announced that they have found a bowl, dating to between the late 2nd century B.C. and the early 1st century A.D., that is engraved with what they believe could be the world's first known reference to Christ.
If the word "Christ" refers to the Biblical Jesus Christ, as is speculated, then the discovery may provide evidence that Christianity and paganism at times intertwined in the ancient world.
The full engraving on the bowl reads, "DIA CHRSTOU O GOISTAIS," which has been interpreted by the excavation team to mean either, "by Christ the magician" or, "the magician by Christ."
Now, this isn't the first time anyone has suggested this as a possibility.
An essay by Richard Carrier might be on topic: Kooks and Quacks of the Roman Empire: A Look into the World of the Gospels (1997)
tl;dr "From all of this one thing should be apparent: the age of Jesus was not an age of critical reflection and remarkable religious acumen. It was an era filled with con artists, gullible believers, martyrs without a cause, and reputed miracles of every variety."
Not out of bounds to suggest it... but to find a commemorative bowl, from 1987 years ago suggesting it - whole new show.
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