Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 01-29-2013, 01:39 PM

A Feud Between Biblical Archaeologists Goes to Court by Nina Burleigh

Quote:

Simcha Jacobovici, a Canadian documentary maker specializing in biblical archaeology, is suing a retired scientist and former archaeological museum curator named Joe Zias, who has accused him of publicizing scientifically dubious theories. Many of Jacobovici’s documentaries have focused on artifacts that purport to reveal new interpretations of early Christianity, including the notion that the remains of Jesus and his family were buried in a tomb underneath modern-day Jerusalem. Jacobovici claims that Zias’ criticisms are libelous and have cost him television contracts and money.

The dusty world of biblical archaeology directly affects — not to say inspires — the hopes and dreams of millions of faithful people who might buy purported relics or tune in to television shows about them. And, so, there has arisen around it a thriving industry in Jesus-era coins and lamps, and pre-Christian Judaica such as seals and seal impressions from the era of the biblical kings — and in books and movies about them.

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Zias is well known among Near East archaeologists for blasting cranky e-mails from his blog, Science and Archaeology Group, accusing filmmakers and writers of “pimping off the Bible.” He routinely writes Jacobovici’s first name with a dollar sign in place of the S. Born in Michigan, he moved to Israel in the 1960s. He told me he was first motivated to expose fakery in the biblical-relic world when he was curating archaeology for the IAA and was approached by a pair of American pastors from the Midwest who complained that their flocks were being routinely fleeced by charlatans collecting money to search underneath the stones of Jerusalem for tangible proof of Bible accounts — like Christ’s DNA.

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outhouse · 01-29-2013, 02:17 PM

I think Joe was in the right.

I hope it backfires on Jacobovici, I find him a clown.

Duke Leto · 01-29-2013, 10:13 PM

Been years since I've read anything by Zias, last I heard he was feuding with the Ultra-Orthodox Haredi on his job description: Analyzing excavated bones. The Haredi don't like that. Maybe he and Jacobovici could get into a three way duel with an Ultra-Orthodox rabbi outside some rock tombs.

Toto · 02-06-2013, 11:00 AM

This Week in ‘Million-Dollar’ Biblical Archaeology Lawsuits: A Breakdown

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01-29-2013, 02:17 PM	#2
outhouse Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Auburn ca Posts: 4,269	I think Joe was in the right. I hope it backfires on Jacobovici, I find him a clown.

01-29-2013, 10:13 PM	#3
Duke Leto Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 3,387	Been years since I've read anything by Zias, last I heard he was feuding with the Ultra-Orthodox Haredi on his job description: Analyzing excavated bones. The Haredi don't like that. Maybe he and Jacobovici could get into a three way duel with an Ultra-Orthodox rabbi outside some rock tombs.

02-06-2013, 11:00 AM	#4
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	This Week in ‘Million-Dollar’ Biblical Archaeology Lawsuits: A Breakdown

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