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 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.
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.
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.
Although Golan was cleared of all