Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Beetle · 07-23-2003, 09:36 AM

According to Christianity Today's weblog, the owner of the James Ossuary has just been arrested for fraud.

Quote:

After a six-month investigation, Israeli police on Monday arrested antiques collector Oded Golan on charges of fraud, forgery, using forged documents, and perverting the course of justice. In recent days, investigators searched Golan's home and storerooms, including a workroom on his roof where they say he forged antiquities. "A number of other 'antiques' in various stages of production were uncovered," reports the Tel Aviv newspaper Ha'aretz.

Guess that may answer some of the questions about the box.

luvluv · 07-23-2003, 10:33 AM

Link?

Did they say that the ossuary in particular was a fraud?

Beetle · 07-23-2003, 10:41 AM

Let's see if this works...

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/129/31.0.html

They didn't flat out say the ossuary was a fraud (though they did find it sitting on the roof of the guy's house). There were some interesting comments from ossuary supporters, though.

Toto · 07-23-2003, 10:45 AM

Ossuary owner arrested for forgery

Quote:

"He really came across as a very innocent, almost gullible person," Mr. Keall said. "Aside from all our investigation, scientific analysis ... this guy seemed to be a very genuine item. He didn't come off as a fast car salesman who was trying to deceive you. That's why it is all the more puzzling to have this notification that the police arrested him."

Even as Mr. Keall spoke last night from his home, magazine racks in bookstores held, and still hold, an article he penned for Biblical Archeology Review insisting that, despite the Israel Antiquities Authority's conclusion that the box was a fake, Mr. Keall and his team still saw no proof that it wasn't authentic.

But yesterday Mr. Golan appeared in a Jerusalem court, one day after police arrested him at his home in Tel Aviv.

He is suspected of forging the ossuary and another piece: a shoebox-sized tablet inscribed with forged instructions for caring for the Jewish Temple.

from Israel Insider

Quote:

Golan is suspected of having forged other antiquities and selling them to museums and institutions overseas for large sums of money. Police said he inscribed stones dating back to the First Temple period (1006-586 BCE), making it very difficult to identify them as fakes, Haaretz reported.

Maariv reported that other academics, including lecturers and professors, have been questioned and/or detained in connection to what is turning out to be the greatest case of archaeological fraud in Israel's history.

Golan denies all allegations against him and told the court that he has never been involved in forgeries. He reportedly told police that the rooftop workroom was used by an Egyptian friend who stays at his home for lengthy periods.

Sounds like Vork had his number.

luvluv · 07-23-2003, 10:47 AM

I'm confused. Is this the guy who found the ossuary or the guy who bought the ossuary?

I thought the ossuary came through the scientific investigation with more or less flying colors?

Toto · 07-23-2003, 11:01 AM

luvluv - Oded Golan alleges that he bought the ossuary from some Arab (he forgets who) a conveniently long time ago. This makes him the buyer/finder. Some initial tests certified that the ossuary was genuine. Later more rigorous tests showed that it was a fraud, although some true believers continue to cling to the idea that it was real.

Sauron · 07-23-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beetle
According to Christianity Today's weblog, the owner of the James Ossuary has just been arrested for fraud.

Guess that may answer some of the questions about the box.

Haran's persistent question, anyhow.

Sauron · 07-23-2003, 11:14 AM

"At a hearing on Tuesday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, police unveiled forgery equipment they said was found in Golan's home, including stencils, stones and partially completed forgeries. According to the police, Golan led them to a rooftop room where the equipment was found along with other materials used by Golan to make the forgeries. "

Any true believers wanna take a stab at this?

Where's Layman, by the way? He's been preternaturally quiet since the IAA report.

godfry n. glad · 07-23-2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toto
luvluv - Oded Golan alleges that he bought the ossuary from some Arab (he forgets who) a conveniently long time ago. This makes him the buyer/finder. Some initial tests certified that the ossuary was genuine. Later more rigorous tests showed that it was a fraud, although some true believers continue to cling to the idea that it was real.

A minor clarification here. The ossuary is "authentic" in the sense that it was probably hewn in the early 1st century (the "rosettes" on the side reverse of the "Jim/Joe/Josh inscription" have been described as "typical of the Herodian period") but the inscription is a modern fraud. That's my understanding of the IAA findings.

Has the "official" IAA report been released yet?

godfry

Doctor X · 07-23-2003, 03:21 PM

Who is that I hear warming up her voice?

Rosanne Barr?

--J.D.

07-23-2003, 11:14 AM	#8
Sauron Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: In the dark places of the world Posts: 8,093	Sheesh "At a hearing on Tuesday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, police unveiled forgery equipment they said was found in Golan's home, including stencils, stones and partially completed forgeries. According to the police, Golan led them to a rooftop room where the equipment was found along with other materials used by Golan to make the forgeries. " Any true believers wanna take a stab at this? Where's Layman, by the way? He's been preternaturally quiet since the IAA report.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

07-23-2003, 10:33 AM	#2
luvluv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Planet Lovetron Posts: 3,919	Link? Did they say that the ossuary in particular was a fraud?

07-23-2003, 10:41 AM	#3
Beetle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Massachusetts State Home for the Bewildered Posts: 961	Let's see if this works... http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/129/31.0.html They didn't flat out say the ossuary was a fraud (though they did find it sitting on the roof of the guy's house). There were some interesting comments from ossuary supporters, though.

07-23-2003, 10:47 AM	#5
luvluv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Planet Lovetron Posts: 3,919	I'm confused. Is this the guy who found the ossuary or the guy who bought the ossuary? I thought the ossuary came through the scientific investigation with more or less flying colors?

07-23-2003, 11:01 AM	#6
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	luvluv - Oded Golan alleges that he bought the ossuary from some Arab (he forgets who) a conveniently long time ago. This makes him the buyer/finder. Some initial tests certified that the ossuary was genuine. Later more rigorous tests showed that it was a fraud, although some true believers continue to cling to the idea that it was real.

07-23-2003, 03:21 PM	#10
Doctor X Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 3,794	Who is that I hear warming up her voice? Rosanne Barr? --J.D.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.