Papal seal found in northern Germany

[Kristin Knudson]

Papal seal found in northern Germany 
Posted : Wed, 21 Nov 2007 10:53:00 GMT
Author : DPA 
Category : Europe (World) 

 
 
Ploen, Germany - A rare papal bull, made of lead and stamped by an antipope during a 12th century split in the Christian church, has been discovered at an archaeological site in northern Germany. Historians said the item had accompanied a document issued by Anacletus II, who held office from 1130 to 1138 but was only recognized by the states of Poland and Sicily while the rest of the Christian kings supported Pope Innocence II.

Popes traditionally attached metal seals, or bulls, to their documents to show they were genuine, and the decrees themselves later came to be called papal bulls.

The Archaeological Office of Schleswig-Holstein state said the find near the town of Ploen was sensational, since hardly any Anacletus seals still existed, but they could not explain how the bull came to be there. 
 
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/145663.html