October 2013: Dr. Jodi Magness, Ossuaries and the Burials of Jesus and James

October 20, 2013 at 3pm                                                      Archaeological Institute of America Lecture

Dr. Jodi Magness                  Ossuaries and the Burials of Jesus and James

In November 2002, the existence of a sensational archaeological artifact was announced to the world: a small stone box called an ossuary inscribed with the name of James, the brother of Jesus. And in spring 2007, yet another sensational claim made headlines around the world: the supposed identification of Jesus’ family tomb in Jerusalem’s Talpiyot neighborhood. In this slide-illustrated lecture, I discuss these finds within the context of ancient Jewish tombs and burials customs in Jerusalem in the time of Jesus (late Second Temple Period). I conclude that the so-called Talpiyot tomb could not have belonged to Jesus’ family, and the so-called James ossuary never contained the remains of Jesus’ brother James the Just.

Learn more: www.JodiMagness.org