‘Bones of Jesus’ brother’ found inside 2,200-year-old box is hailed as ‘most significant item from time of Christ’
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THE "bones of Jesus' brother" have been found inside a 2,200-year-old box in a breakthrough discovery. The limestone box is etched with the name of the son of God, and has been hailed the "most significant item from the time of Christ". The inscription, "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus," is written on the box in ancient Aramaic.
![[An artefact believed to have once contained the bones of Jesus’ brother James sits on display in 2002]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2002-royal-ontario-museum-toronto-959181688.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
As the names correspond to those of Jesus' brother and father, many believe the box once held the remains of James the Just - the first leader of Christians in Jerusalem after the crucifixion. The unbelievable box is currently on display at Pullman Yards in Atlanta as part of an exhibition featuring hundreds of historical items from the time of Jesus.
![[The James Ossuary was unveiled]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2002-james-ossuary-mid-first-959181686.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But, just like other archaeological finds discovered from the Bible period, the Ossuary led to uproar after its unveiling in 2002. The following year its owner Oded Golan was accused of forging the inscription. Experts alleged that he had added the phrase "brother of Jesus" to the limestone.
![[This image from the Biblical Archaeology Society shows a first century A.D. burial box with an Aramaic inscription that reads 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus']](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image-biblical-archaeology-society-shows-959181705.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Golan tried to salvage his reputation and, after battling it out in court for a ten-year trial, the Israeli antiquities collector was acquitted. But mystery still surrounds the "Jesus box". Despite Golan being cleared of all charges, the judge still said that the verdict "does not mean that the inscription on the Ossuary is authentic or that it was written 2,000 years ago.".
![[People view the James Ossuary]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2002-royal-ontario-museum-toronto-959181697.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
