Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Vorkosigan · 06-17-2003, 05:19 PM

----- Forwarded message from goranson@duke.edu -----
From: goranson@duke.edu
Reply-To: ane@listhost.uchicago.edu
To: ane@listhost.uchicago.edu
Subject: [ANE] James ossuary reportedly determined "fake"
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 05:00:19 -0400

Canadian TV, ctv.ca, via news.google.com (search "ossuary," sort by
date) reports that an IAA-convened panel "says it has determined the
box is a fake." It reports that their "findings will be published next
week." Yesterday Arutz Sheva (also via google, search "oded golan")
reported that an IAA-convened group determined the Yehoash tablet is
a "forgery" and that a report would also be published next week.
Neither news source provides much on the bases for these conclusions;
presumably, if these news stories are accurate, the publications will.

best,
Stephen Goranson

Toto · 06-17-2003, 05:58 PM

It's all still in the rumor stage.

Israeli Antiquities Authority to rule on authenticity of 'James Ossuary'

Quote:

Golan said he bought the James ossuary in the mid-1970s from an antiquities dealer in the Old City of Jerusalem for about $200, but he said he could not remember the dealer's name.

However, antiquities inspectors, who have questioned several Old City dealers, were also checking suspicions Golan bought the ossuary only a few months ago. In that case, those involved in the sale could be prosecuted for dealing in stolen goods.

The police investigation into how the box was acquired will continue regardless of the committee's findings.

Robert Eisenman, who wrote a book on James, studied the box and said the inscription appeared to have been written in two different hands. That, along with the artifact's sudden appearance, made its authenticity questionable, he said.

''I always considered the timing of the James ossuary very odd and worrisome. There was a spate of books on James and his importance in 1997 and 1998, then the box appeared,'' he said.

Unwilling to release the committee's findings, Dahari said all the experts on the team came to the same conclusion.

''The facts will speak for themselves, and I think that the people there will be impressed with the findings,'' he said.

Globe and Mail

Quote:

In an interview yesterday with CTV, Dr. Barkay said the committee will declare that the ossuary itself "is authentic beyond any doubt." However, "according to some scholars," the patina (or calcified encrustation) found inside the letters of the inscription "is not ancient," Dr. Barkay said. This means that, in all likelihood, "the inscription was added to the pre-existing ossuary and therefore the inscription is fake."

However, Dr. Barkay stressed he had not read the committee's full, final report and that he doesn't "regard as a final answer" the information he has heard. "If it is a fake, it's a fantastically executed piece," he said.

Toto · 06-17-2003, 06:02 PM

Authenticity of James Ossuary Questioned

Quote:

Israeli archaeologists suggested the truth about the ossuary's history would remain a mystery, shrouded in the world of grave robbers, unscrupulous dealers and law-breaking collectors who dominate the Holy Land's antiquities market.

On Monday, Jerusalem TV news reported that Israeli police uncovered possible forgery tools in a warehouse belonging to the man who owns the box, renewing speculation the ossuary may yet be declared a fake.

Arken · 06-17-2003, 06:44 PM

You mean that the inscription identifying the ossuary as one belonging to James, brother of Jesus is a fake, not the entire ossuary, right? I mean the ossuary itself is an authentic ancient ossuary belonging to someone isn't it? Or is it a fake too?

Vorkosigan · 06-17-2003, 10:32 PM

The ossuary itself is really an ancient ossuary. In fact, Rochelle Altman has argued that the faint markings on the box make it from the age of Herod the Great and thus too early to be an authentic burial box of James, the brother of Jesus. The inscription, specifically the second half, is probably a fake.

Vorkosigan

Sauron · 06-17-2003, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toto
It's all still in the rumor stage.

Israeli Antiquities Authority to rule on authenticity of 'James Ossuary'

Globe and Mail

Oh, my. "Box good, inscription bad." Sounds familiar. Where's Layman?

Wonder if Witherington's book is going to be moved to eBay really quickly....sold for mere pennies on the dollar, of the original retail price.....

06-17-2003, 05:19 PM	#1
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	XTALK just posted: Ossuary reportedly determined fake... ----- Forwarded message from goranson@duke.edu ----- From: goranson@duke.edu Reply-To: ane@listhost.uchicago.edu To: ane@listhost.uchicago.edu Subject: [ANE] James ossuary reportedly determined "fake" Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2003 05:00:19 -0400 Canadian TV, ctv.ca, via news.google.com (search "ossuary," sort by date) reports that an IAA-convened panel "says it has determined the box is a fake." It reports that their "findings will be published next week." Yesterday Arutz Sheva (also via google, search "oded golan") reported that an IAA-convened group determined the Yehoash tablet is a "forgery" and that a report would also be published next week. Neither news source provides much on the bases for these conclusions; presumably, if these news stories are accurate, the publications will. best, Stephen Goranson

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06-17-2003, 06:44 PM	#4
Arken Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: North Hollywood, CA Posts: 6,303	You mean that the inscription identifying the ossuary as one belonging to James, brother of Jesus is a fake, not the entire ossuary, right? I mean the ossuary itself is an authentic ancient ossuary belonging to someone isn't it? Or is it a fake too?

06-17-2003, 10:32 PM	#5
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	The ossuary itself is really an ancient ossuary. In fact, Rochelle Altman has argued that the faint markings on the box make it from the age of Herod the Great and thus too early to be an authentic burial box of James, the brother of Jesus. The inscription, specifically the second half, is probably a fake. Vorkosigan

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