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Possible first century artifact of Jesus found
“Ya’akov bar Yosef akhui diYeshua.” “James son of Joseph brother of Jesus.” These words are carved on a 20-inch-long limestone burial box, or ossuary, that has been found near Jerusalem and that French scholars believe dates from the decades before the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D. According to the historian Josephus, Jesus’ brother James was executed by stoning around 63 A.D. So, how many men named James son of Joseph brother of Jesus died in Jerusalem around that time—and how many would have been identified on their burial box by their brother’s name? If the inscription is authentic and refers to Jesus, it would be be the earliest known documentation of Jesus outside the Bible; and the ossuary (an enlargeable photo of it accompanies the linked article) would be that of his brother and follower. Unfortunately, since the burial box was not found at a controlled archeological site, there is no way to verify the authenticity of the inscription. While we’re on the subject, let us also remember that if the State of Israel were abandoned to the Arabs, as some on the antiwar right are now openly urging, such precious archeological work—along with so much else besides—would come to an end forever.
Note, 2-26-07: The Ossuary was considered a forgery and there was a police investigation.
Comments
Robert Eisenman, author of James the Brother of Jesus, strongly doubts the authenticity of the inscription on the ossuary. He finds it too pat, the choice of words seeming to be directed at a modern audience. The ossuary of “James son of Joseph brother of Jesus” that was found last year has been determined by scientists to come from the middle first century in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Scientists now believe there is a good chance it really was the ossuary of James the brother of Jesus. Posted by: Lawrence Auster on April 18, 2003 3:09 AM |