Museums warned on Bible-era relics

[Thor_MN]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/12/29/israel.antiquities.ap/index.html

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Experts advised world museums to re-examine their Bible-era relics after Israel indicted four collectors and dealers on charges of forging some of the most important artifacts of recent decades.

The indictments issued Wednesday labeled as fakes perhaps the two biggest biblical discoveries in the Holy Land -- the purported burial box of Jesus' brother James and a stone tablet with written instructions by King Yoash on maintenance work at the Jewish Temple -- and many other "finds."

The forgers "were trying to change history," said Shuka Dorfman, head of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The forgery ring has been operating for more than 20 years, Dorfman said.

I would say that they are trying to support the bible myth, they say change history. tomato. tomoto.

[InvisibleBallots]

1. Lol!

Half the "artifacts" in the museums are not what they say they are.

[Tsiyu]

2. Potato. Potahto

Is anything real anymore?

[thegreatwildebeest]

3. The broader problem...

The broader problem is the whole antiquities and cultural selling network, which basically rips off relics, artifacts, and tries to sell such things to well to do people across the world. The fact that most of them are fake is besides the point, since a good majority of them are not only quite real, but illegally obtained.

[InvisibleBallots]

6. I'm not sure if you can say a "good majority" of them are real

At least, the dating and the history of a "good majority" of them are probably not accurate.

[BiggJawn]

4. "Change history"..Wotta Laff!

"Historically, I have been but a poor junk seller. Now I am a respected 'Dealer in Antiquities', and quite wealthy, too..."

They were trying to make some Fat Cash, nothing more. Why were they faking biblical "artifacts"? Hey, look at how rich Lehaye has gotten off his "Left Behind" books....

[HeeBGBz]

5. Anybody wanna buy Jesus on a tater chip?

Hurry. I've got major munchies.

[cally]

7. About time

Anyone who has ever been to Europe and seen the 'saint's bones' at almost every church. The more prestigious have Christ's bones. The absolute best were museums in Turkey. I know they have some of the best authentic artifacts. Mixed in with the authentic were John the Baptists' petrified head, Moses staff, and many more questionable relics.

[InvisibleBallots]

8. I don't think that's what they are talking about

the sort of artifacts you are talking about are from the middle ages, and no one except the most superstitious old grandmas believes they are authentic.

What will get interesting is when people take a good look at the DCC and Nag Hammadi and other "ancient writings" and have them indepedently verified - something Israel, the Vatican, and the Protestants groups do not want to happen.