Bone box of Jesus' brother discovered in Israel deemed 'most significant item from time of Christ'
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A 2,000-year-old bone box etched with the name of Jesus' brother discovered in Israel is now on display in the US. The limestone box, or ossuary, features the inscription 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,' written in ancient Aramaic. Because the names correspond to those of Jesus of Nazareth's brother and father, many speculate that the box once held the remains of James the Just, the first leader of Christians in Jerusalem after the crucifixion.
![[The limestone box, or ossuary, features the inscription 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,' written in ancient Aramaic]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/15/93357437-14214411-image-a-3_1734709831881.jpg)
The burial box is currently on display at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, as part of an exhibit featuring 350 historical items from the time of Jesus. The discovery, made in 1976, has been described as 'the most significant item from the time of Christ,' according to the exhibit.
![[The discovery, made in 1976, has been described as 'the most significant item from the time of Christ,' according to the exhibit]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/16/93359431-14214411-image-a-4_1734713304385.jpg)
However, like many Biblical archaeological finds, the ossuary became embroiled in controversy shortly after its public unveiling in 2002. In 2003, its owner, Oded Golan, was accused of forging the inscription, with experts alleging he added the phrase 'brother of Jesus' to the limestone.
![[James is said to have died as a martyr either in 62AD by being stoned to death on the order of a high priest, or in 69 AD by being thrown off the pinnacle of the Temple by scribes and Pharisees and then clubbed to death]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/20/16/93359429-14214411-image-a-5_1734713310198.jpg)
Golan fought to clear his name, and after a ten-year trial, the Israeli antiquities collector was acquitted. Yet, the mystery of the 'Jesus box' endures. A 2,000-year-old bone box etched with the name of Jesus' brother discovered in Israel is now on display in the US.
Although Golan was cleared of all charges, the judge stated that the verdict 'does not mean that the inscription on the ossuary is authentic or that it was written 2,000 years ago.'. 'We conducted several chemical tests, particularly on the inscription itself, which is the most critical element of the ossuary,' Golan told Crosswalk Headlines this week.
