BAR Editor Charged with Pivotal Role in Fraud and Forgery

Professor Yuval Goren, former chairman of Tel Aviv University’s Institute of Archaeology and the dominating scientific member of the committees of the Israel Antiquities Authority that found the James Ossuary inscription and the ivory pomegranate inscription to be forgeries, has accused BAR editor Hershel Shanks of criminal involvement in the forgery. BAR and Shanks have defended the authenticity of both inscriptions. The ossuary, or bone box, is inscribed, “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” The ivory pomegranate is inscribed, “(Belonging) to the Temple of [Yahwe]h; holy to the priests.” If authentic, this would appear to be the only […]