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MUMBAI: Scientific analysis of limestone ossuaries (bone
boxes) and physical evidence found in a 2,000-year-old tomb
in Talpiot, Jerusalem, provide credible new information that
the tomb once may have held the remains of Jesus of Nazareth
and his family.
A new Discovery documentary The Lost Tomb Of Jesus
from executive producer James Cameron and director Simcha
Jacobovici, exclusively reveals what might be the greatest
archaeological find in history. The film presents the latest
evidence from experts in Aramaic script, ancient DNA analysis,
forensics, archaeology and statistics.
Among the major "discoveries" chronicled in the
programme is new evidence that Jesus and Mary Magdalene, also
known as "Mariamene e Mara," may have had a son
named Judah.
The show airs in the US on 4 March. It follows an investigative
journey into the identities of and relationships among 10
ossuaries, which originally were discovered more than 25 years
ago but never were connected conclusively.
In conjunction with the film, HarperSanFrancisco is publishing
a companion book, The Jesus Family Tomb. It has been
co-authored by Jacobovici and Dr Charles Pellegrino, with
a foreword by Cameron.
The Talpiot tomb originally held 10 ossuaries, nine of which
are still within the Israel Antiquity Authority's domain.
Six of the limestone bone boxes that served as First Century
Jerusalem-area coffins include inscriptions of names found
in the New Testament -- "Jesus son of Joseph," "Maria,"
"Mariamene e Mara," "Matthew," "Yose"
and "Judah son of Jesus."
Jacobovici says, "This has been a three-year journey that
seems more incredible than fiction. The idea of possibly finding
the tomb of Jesus and several members of his family, with compelling
scientific evidence, is beyond anything I could have imagined."
Could this have been a holy tomb for Jesus and his family?
Evidence shows the following:
- Leading epigraphers agree about the text inscriptions;
- Expert archaeologists confirm the nature of the finds and
their historical relevance;
- The tomb contains a mysterious symbol over the entrance
found on other Christian artifacts; and
- A statistical study concludes that the odds on the most
conservative basis -- are 600 to 1 in favour of this being
the Jesus family tomb.
Dr Carney Matheson from the Paleo-DNA Laboratory at Lakehead
University in Ontario, Canada, conducted a mitochondrial DNA
analysis on microscopic bits of matter recovered from the
"Jesus son of Joseph" and "Mariamene e Mara"
ossuaries. The test genetically concludes that the two were
not maternally related. Given that this was a family burial
place reserved for spouses and blood relations, it is possible
to deduce that they were a couple.
As shown in the film, Jacobovici and his team use robotic
cameras to locate the tomb, which was believed to have been
destroyed but is actually in the center of a modern-day apartment
complex. After briefly entering the tomb, the filmmakers follow
local regulations and seal the tomb with the hopes that they
will return to conduct further analysis.
A website, www.discovery.com/tomb, will provide information
to allow viewers to make their own decisions about these findings.
A virtual evidence kit, with the latest scientific analysis,
can be examined first hand. The original map of the tomb drawn
by Dr. Shimon Gibson in 1980, exclusive Web interviews, and
detailed images of the inscriptions will be online for the
world to explore. The site will feature a forum for debate
and conversation with several experts sharing their thoughts
and answering questions in message boards and blogs.
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