Category Archives: Archaeology

Update on St. John the Baptist’s bones

Posted on 15/06/2012 by

Scientific tests have now been carried out: Mysterious bones may belong to John the Baptist: New radiocarbon dating of collagen in one of bones puts age at early first century ‘Found’, bones of John the Baptist: Tests on a knucklebone … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies, History | Tagged , ,

Are the Gospels based on Pagan myths?

Posted on 19/04/2012 by

Were the Gospels Based on Pagan Myths? No, responds Timothy Paul Jones.  Read his article, linked to above, if you are interested in the subject.  It’s well worth your reading time.  He concludes with some excellent advice: What should you do … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Atheism, History, Theology | Tagged , , , ,

Pseudo-archaeologist James Tabor smears internet blogger for attacking his “Jonah ossuary” rubbish

Posted on 11/04/2012 by

Pseudo-archaeologist James Tabor (who publicly eulogises the late Vendyl “Arkhunter” Jones as his “creator” and “teacher”), and who sees otherwise unexceptional ancient tombs in Jerusalem as potential goldmines to fund his retirement, has now taken to smearing and issuing threats to internet bloggers. … Continue reading →

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Did the Exodus really happen? The Exodus is not a literal historical account, but it doesn’t matter

Posted on 11/04/2012 by

Worth your reading time: Did the Exodus Really Happen?  Knowing the Exodus is not a literal historical account does not ultimately change our connection to each other or to God, writes Rabbi  David Wolpe

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies, History | Tagged , ,

Scholars now openly mocking pseudo-archaeologist James Tabor for his crackpot ‘Jonah Ossuary’

Posted on 21/03/2012 by

The “Jonah Ossuary” theory has finally “jumped the shark” (only, it’s a tropical fish) by Robert Cargill James Tabor is correct, ‘It’s anything but a fish’: Logical fallacies in defense of the “Jonah Ossuary” theory by Robert Cargill

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Pseudo-archaeologist James Tabor exposed as a fraudster over ‘Jonah Ossuary’ faked photographs

Posted on 13/03/2012 by

If the evidence doesn’t fit, Photoshop it: digital image manipulation in the case of Simcha Jacobovici and James Tabor’s ‘Jonah Ossuary’ Sins of commission and omission: digitally generated marginal ‘fishes’ and overlooked handles on the so-called ‘Jonah Ossuary’

Posted in Archaeology | Tagged , , , , , , , ,

‘The Jesus Discovery’: the latest claptrap from pseudo-archaeologist James Tabor soiling bookstore shelves

Posted on 10/02/2012 by

When he’s not eulogising fellow cranks such as the notorious crackpot Vendyl ”Arkhunter” Jones, James Tabor is busy thinking up his next great archaeological discovery.  Here’s what he’s about to serve us this Easter: The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find That Reveals the Birth … Continue reading →

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Real-life tale of Irish zombies: archaeologists discover 8th. century human skeletons with stones in their mouths

Posted on 17/09/2011 by

Revealed, Ireland’s real-life zombie scare: Eighth century skeletons buried with stones in mouths ‘One of them was lying with his head looking straight up.  A large black stone had been deliberately thrust into his mouth. ‘The other had his head … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, History | Tagged , , , , , ,

Biblical ‘minimalist’ Philip Davies still obsessed with David Elkington’s fake metal codices

Posted on 25/08/2011 by

Philip Davies, a well-known biblical ‘minimalist’ (i.e. he disputes most of the historical claims made in the Old Testament), has no such hesitations about David Elkington’s metal codices.  On the contrary, in his lavishly illustrated editorial (all photographs courtesy of … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

How long were biblical manuscripts in use? On average usually 200 to 300 years, says Craig Evans

Posted on 21/06/2011 by

How Long Were Biblical Manuscripts in Use? If the Gospel of Matthew was published and circulated in 75 CE and if it and some of the first copies of it were in use as long as the manuscripts in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies, History

John Dickson pits historical facts against atheist schoolyard delusions

Posted on 15/06/2011 by

Pitting historical facts against atheist schoolyard delusions by John Dickson A motif quite common in atheist literature: the boy wounded or disillusioned, sometimes understandably, by early religious experiences grows up to be an ardent atheist (Richard Dawkins’s testimonial is the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Atheism, Biblical Studies, History, Philosophy

University of Chicago completes Assyrian Dictionary after 9 decades: 21-volume sets will be sold for $1,400 each

Posted on 06/06/2011 by

University of Chicago institute completes dictionary of ancient language after 9 decades: 21-volume sets will be sold to libraries for $1,400 each Scholars at the University of Chicago’s Oriental Institute have finally completed the Assyrian Dictionary, listing 28,000 words of … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, History

New book on the literary, social, and historical context of the Gospels is “superb introduction”

Posted on 15/05/2011 by

New book on Early New Testament Studies “Superb” The book was a collaboration between the Ancient History Department at Macquarie University and the Australian College of Theology and draws on 17 New Testament scholars from Australia to explore the political, … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies, Book Reviews

‘Jesus Tomb’ archaeologist James Tabor defends Vendyl “Ark hunter” Jones & Simcha Jacobovici

Posted on 11/05/2011 by

Not only does Tabor idolise fundamentalist crank Vendyl “Ark hunter” Jones, he passionately defends Simcha Jacobovici’s ‘Jesus Nails’ pseudo-archaeological rubbish: Beyond any substance to this post I find the personal slander, diatribe and ugly anti-Semitic innuendoes totally disgusting.  Where have we come to as … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

A Critique of Simcha Jacobovici’s ‘Secrets of Christianity: Nails of the Cross’ by Robert R. Cargill

Posted on 09/05/2011 by

A Critique of Simcha Jacobovici’s ‘Secrets of Christianity: Nails of the Cross’ by Robert R. Cargill Simcha makes two bold claims to say the least: the first is that the lost nails of Jesus’ crucifixion have been recovered, and the second … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

Simcha Jacobovici’s fake “Jesus nails” now dead and buried

Posted on 01/05/2011 by

Via Joseph Lauer, an Israeli Antiquities Authority press release about Simcha Jacobovici’s “Jesus nails”: Dr. Zvi Greenhut of the Israel Antiquities Authority reveals: the nails in the Tel Aviv University Medical School anthropology laboratory are not the missing nails from Caiaphas’ Cave! … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

A summary of the evidence that David Elkington’s Jordanian metal “codices” are fakes

Posted on 29/04/2011 by

The evidence that the metal codices are fakes More: The early Christian lead codices from Jordan are now confirmed as forgeries Whether lead plates or bronze tablets, the Jordanian ‘early Christian’ codices are forgeries Peter Thonemann publishes emails between him … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

James R. Davila on Philip Davies’ “clarification” of his comments on the fake metal codices

Posted on 24/04/2011 by

James R. Davila, Professor of Early Jewish Studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, responds to Philip Davies’ supposed “clarification” of his confusing comments about David Elkington’s fake metal codices: Fake metal codices watch: more from Philip Davies … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

Prof. Em. Jan Gunneweg adds another nail in the coffin for Simcha Jacobovici’s fake ‘Jesus nails’

Posted on 20/04/2011 by

‘To whom it may concern, The undersigned, Dr. Jan Gunneweg of archaeology/archaeometry at the Hebrew University for 38 years, declare herewith that he underscribes every item discussed by Joe Zias, whom he knows for 25 odd years. I am convinced … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies

‘Minimalist’ biblical scholar Philip Davies still ‘talking up’ David Elkington’s fake metal codices

Posted on 20/04/2011 by

In an article entitled Prof’s mystery texts (Davies has apparently clasped these metal fakes to his bosom!), well-known biblical ‘minimalist’ Philip Davies, emeritus professor at the University of Sheffield, continues to ‘talk up’ David Elkington’s not-very-clever fakes.  “It is extremely exciting,” Davies gushes, before … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies | Tagged , , , , ,

First Simcha Jacobovici tried to sell us a fake Jesus tomb, now he’s touting fake Jesus nails

Posted on 19/04/2011 by

More Amazing Dis-Grace — The JESUS NAILS: The Naked Truth vs. The Naked Archaeologist (Simcha Jacobovici) by Joe Zias Has the ‘Naked Archaeologist’ become a clone of the ‘Jerry Springer’ show?  If one looks at the track record of both programs … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

U.S. conservative evangelical leader Chuck Colson falls for David Elkington’s fake metal codices

Posted on 14/04/2011 by

And cites ‘minimalist’ biblical scholar Philip Davies as his authority for their authenticity!  Davies has only himself to blame, by claiming that the metal tablets are “probably not a forgery” and stating that he is “dumbstruck” at the sight of an image on one of them … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Biblical Studies

After David Elkington’s fake metal codices we now have Simcha Jacobovici’s fake Jesus nails!

Posted on 12/04/2011 by

The Canadian clown is at it again: No, Simcha, you didn’t find the ‘nails of the cross’ of Christ (a week before Easter) Let me get this straight: Simcha claims to have found the tomb of the High Priest Caiaphas, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

Internet media catch up with bibliobloggers that David Elkington’s metal codices are fakes

Posted on 11/04/2011 by

Exclusive: Early Christian Lead Codices Now Called Fakes Now that the internet media have caught up, when will newspapers and tv channels follow suit?  Perhaps they are allowing time for us to forget that they fell for David Elkington’s hoax in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology

Respected Israeli archaeologist Joe Zias on David Elkington’s fake metal codices

Posted on 11/04/2011 by

‘As for the Elkington’s ‘Lead Codices’, the British couple hustling this nonsense and their claim of being shot at while searching for the cave in Jordan, well, without any proof the public is forced to skepticism.  And that skepticism is … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology