As a collector of antiquities for many decades who has seen tens of thousands of ancient pieces originated from the Land Of Israel, and based on the opinions I received from various experts with experience and understanding in numerous relevant areas who examined the items, I maintained that there is no foundation for the IAA's allegations that these items are forgeries. The authenticity of each one of these two inscriptions stands at the heart of this unique trial, and the Court is expected to render its decision on this issue.
See Also: Final Reports on the Yehoash Inscription and James Ossuary from the Israeli Antiquities Authority
Essays on the James Ossuary and the Temple Tablet from Bible and Interpretation
By Oded Golan
Tel Aviv
April 2011
Click here for article.
Comments (7)
As I previously stated in my comments to Gideon Avni's article, "I, for one, remain convinced that the Brother of Jesus Ossuary and the Jehoash Inscription will probably be recorded as significant headlines in the history of archaeological research of the Holy Land."
#1 - abchrysler - 04/14/2011 - 03:58
Thank you for posting this material. Beyond all the back and forth it seems the basic facts of the case have not reached so many of those who have slandered Oded, Hershel Shanks and all involved in the subject. I have learned a lot from reading. I hope others will as well.
#2 - James Tabor - 04/14/2011 - 04:03
Thanks, Oded, and congratulations. Sadly enough, both finds found their way to court, instead of being on the table of other professionals. This trial conclusions and verdict only make one happy that no one could accuse others of stealing the Talpiot Tomb its self.
Well done, Oded, for such an educating piece.
#3 - Eldad keynan - 04/17/2011 - 16:11
Presenting Mr. Golan's "article" without any critical review does a disservice to your readers.
#4 - Dave N. - 04/17/2011 - 17:11
There's a serious typo right in the middle of the crucial part of the report where it talks of probabilities. It says the probability of this being the real ossuary of James is "3'4". This is a meaningless number, and clearly a typo. Can you please correct, or add a note to the text highlighting this serious error.
#5 - Typo - 04/17/2011 - 17:13
The best reviewer is the the honorable judge Farkash from Jerusalem, that has been reviewing this case for the last 6 years and soon will submit his conclusions.
The points Oded brought up are very accurate to the facts unfolding during the court sessions. The silence of the IAA is a good indication for the authenticity of the article of Oded.
#6 - Dandill - 04/18/2011 - 08:37
If a genuine relic with the names of Jesus, joseph and James upon it, came into your possession, would you not be so excited about it that you would want evryone to know? Why did Mr. Golan keep this ossuary, by his own admission, for 25-30 years before he revealed it?
#7 - NP - 11/07/2011 - 00:48