Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Reena · 02-23-2006, 09:55 PM

I just watched a documentary on Discovery Civilizations that alleges that an ossuary has been found with the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus", that it is authentic (they showed all sorts of scientific tests that were done), and that statistically only one James back then would have had a father named Joseph and a brother named Jesus. And that this is allegedly the physical evidence of Jesus' existence.

Is anyone familiar with this? What do you think?

Amaleq13 · 02-23-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reena

I just watched a documentary on Discovery Civilizations that alleges that an ossuary has been found with the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus", that it is authentic (they showed all sorts of scientific tests that were done), and that statistically only one James back then would have had a father named Joseph and a brother named Jesus. And that this is allegedly the physical evidence of Jesus' existence.

Is anyone familiar with this? What do you think?

Based on the following information posted earlier by Toto from this website, it is factually incorrect:

Quote:

Biblical Archaeology Review on the frequency of the names: "The names James (Jacob), Joseph, and Jesus were all fairly common among Jews at the turn of the era. ...Rachel Hachlili has studied names used at this time in all types of inscriptions. Joseph appeared in 14 percent, Jesus in 9 percent, and James/Jacob in 2 percent of the cases. ...in Jerusalem during the two generations before 70 C.E., there were therefore about twenty people who could be called 'Jacob son of Joseph brother of Jesus.'" . . .

Diogenes the Cynic · 02-23-2006, 10:13 PM

It's a forgery.

Essentially, it's a real bone box but the inscription is fake. The antiquities dealer is currently facing fraud charges.

sodium · 02-23-2006, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reena

I just watched a documentary on Discovery Civilizations

I wonder if you saw a re-run. Expert opinion appeared to favour authenticity for a while. Then the guy who came up with it turned out to be a likely forger, and support kind of collapsed.

Diogenes the Cynic · 02-23-2006, 10:51 PM

The Israeli Antiquities Authority determined that part of the inscription was cut through the patina - i.e. it was recently carved - i.e. it was fake.

ChandraRama · 02-23-2006, 11:28 PM

// that part of the inscription was cut through the patina //

pius fraud as usual?

S.C.Carlson · 02-23-2006, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChandraRama

pius fraud as usual?

In this case, it was part of a money making operation. (Cynical fraud, perhaps).

Stephen

Diogenes the Cynic · 02-24-2006, 08:07 AM

Mercenary fraud.

Chris Weimer · 02-24-2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diogenes the Cynic

Mercenary fraud.

Yep. The guy had all sorts of forgery equipment at his house.

See here for a discussion on it.

02-23-2006, 09:55 PM	#1
Reena Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 236	The James ossuary I just watched a documentary on Discovery Civilizations that alleges that an ossuary has been found with the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus", that it is authentic (they showed all sorts of scientific tests that were done), and that statistically only one James back then would have had a father named Joseph and a brother named Jesus. And that this is allegedly the physical evidence of Jesus' existence. Is anyone familiar with this? What do you think?

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02-23-2006, 10:13 PM	#3
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	It's a forgery. Essentially, it's a real bone box but the inscription is fake. The antiquities dealer is currently facing fraud charges.

02-23-2006, 10:51 PM	#5
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	The Israeli Antiquities Authority determined that part of the inscription was cut through the patina - i.e. it was recently carved - i.e. it was fake.

02-23-2006, 11:28 PM	#6
ChandraRama Regular Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: US Posts: 107	// that part of the inscription was cut through the patina // pius fraud as usual?

02-24-2006, 08:07 AM	#8
Diogenes the Cynic Moderator - Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Posts: 4,639	Mercenary fraud.

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