TORONTO, Canada, November 23, 2002 — The owner of the James ossuary released new evidence at a meeting of the Biblical Archaeology Society Friday, which he says supports the theory the ancient limestone box once held the bones of the brother of Christ.
One of Israel's foremost antiquities collectors, Oded Golan (51) from Tel Aviv, told a crowd of about 300 Biblical scholars gathered for his presentation, that a recent and highly complex statistical analysis using the most conservative data, shows not more than three men living in Jerusalem from 20 B.C. to 70 A.D., could have fit all the criteria necessary to have had their names appear on the relic.
Professor Camil Fuchs of Tel Aviv University did the math
To do the math, Professor Camil Fuchs, head of Tel Aviv University's Department of Statistics and Operations Research in the School of Mathematical Sciences, made estimates on the number of adult Jewish males named James, who had a father named Joseph and a brother named Jesus during the period. Then he added in literacy rates (because of the inscription on the box) and the affordability factor; how many of those men came from families or communities that could have afforded the custom of ossuary burial (a costly practice by the standards of the day).
Fuchs less conservative estimates arrived at the conclusion that only one person could be "James son of Joseph brother of Jesus", and that is the man who was known as James the Just, a leader in the early church and the brother of Jesus Christ.
Golan was surprised by the results of the statistical analysis
Photo: Robert Simpson
Oded Golan owner of the James ossuary answers questions from the Canadian press at the Metropolitan Hotel, Toronto, Canada, November 22, 2002.
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Golan said the finding came as a surprise to him, because he once thought hundreds of men could have met the criteria. But any emotional response he may have as a result of the finding is based on his loyalty to his homeland of Israel and to his people, the Jews.
"I am not a religious person," he said, during a question period that followed his 90-minute presentation at the Metropolitan Hotel in downtown Toronto. But he went on to explain that he feels a "strong connection" to Israel and the Jewish people. "For me, James and Jesus as well were Jewish people. They lived as Jewish people and they died as Jewish people," he added.
Hershel Shanks: 'In my opinion, this is the ossuary of James the brother of Jesus of Nazareth'
Former Washington lawyer, now author, founder and editor of Biblical Archaeology Review magazine Hershel Shanks, told Bible Network News his thoughts on the ossuary. "In my opinion, this is the ossuary of James the brother of Jesus of Nazareth," he said. When asked if the world will ever know that fact for certain, Shanks said simply, "no".
Following the presentation, which included a slide show and anecdotes about some of the more than 3,000 artefacts in Golan's collection, the ossuary owner made a spontaneous visit to Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum, where his box is on display until December 29. Standing next to the display case and surrounded by museum visitors (most of whom seemed unaware of Golan's identity), he looked proud of his treasure, and pleased at the level of interest people were showing.
Where the ossuary will be kept once it returns to Israel has yet to be decided. Because of the risk of theft and high insurance costs, Golan said he will no longer keep it at his home or in his shed where it was once stored, due to what he considered a lack of aesthetic appeal.
"How to show it ...where to give it ... this I have to think about," he said.
Source: Patricia L. Paddey, Bible Network News
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