The James Ossuary: In 2002, an ancient limestone bone box surfaced with the Aramaic inscription “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” If authentic, it could be the first physical link to Jesus’ family. The Israel Antiquities Authority initially declared the inscription a modern forgery, though the ossuary itself was genuine (1st century CE). A high-profile trial acquitted the dealer, but scholarly consensus holds the inscription was added later. Microscopic analysis showed tool marks inconsistent with ancient engraving. While the artifact is real, the contested inscription makes it a partial hoax. It underscores the high stakes of biblical archaeology and the ease of forgery in the antiquities market.
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