Archaeologist Who Discovered Jesus' Burial Site: "Such Claims Have Not Yet Been Validated."

[The Cleaner]

JERUSALEM, Feb. 25 Israeli archeologist Amos Kloner, who discovered the reported burial site of Jesus Christ, has warned that such claims have not yet been validated.

The internationally renowned archaeologist said a recent film that shows the Jerusalem site as the resting place of Jesus may have been premature in its claim and warned against similar incidences taking place, YNetNews said.

The claim that the burial site has been found is not based on any proof, and is only an attempt to sell, he said. A burial chamber of Jesus' family would be a discovery that would shake up the world, and that's what the filmmakers want to do, Kloner added. The Jerusalem burial site is also said to possibly have been the final resting place of Jesus' mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, and other family members.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/34196.html

I think these individuals (who are not archaeologists) are bucking true archaeological science and are basically selling the same theory set forth in The Da Vinci Code. Not surprising, since after all James Cameron IS a filmmaker, and his colleague, a journalist with the "story of a lifetime."

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. There are suckers born every minute.

[hippiechick]

2. earlier discussion:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x292662


:hi:

[Orrex]

3. While in the Holy Land, I visited the site of Mary's tomb

And Elijah's, too. Heck, I did the whole tour.

[Ninja Jordan]

6. How can Elijah have a tomb? Doesn't scripture claim he ascended into heaven without dying?

Jews are still waiting for his return as the messiah.

[Orrex]

10. .

:sarcasm:

[Ninja Jordan]

14. Hard to catch when you mention Mary (who may actually have a tomb site).

'twas confusing.

[Orrex]

16. Shows my ignorance

I thought that she was whisked into the sky, too. Or was that post-burial.

(not being snarky at this point--I honestly don't know)

[Ninja Jordan]

20. site

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-tomb-of-virgin-mary.htm

[shain from kane]

7. Did Elijah have a tomb? He left Earth in a flying saucer.

"Arriving at the borders of Gilead, which Elijah had left many years before, it "came to pass as they still went on and talked" they were suddenly separated by a chariot and horses of fire; and "Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." Elisha saw him go up and cried, "The Chariots and horses of Israel!" Elisha received his mantle, which fell from him as he ascended."

[Orrex]

12. That's how I want to go, for sure

And if Cadbury Creme eggs are involved, so much the better.

[Imperialism Inc.]

4. Can someone tell me if this is related to the ossuary box

that has already been shown to be a fraud. The one that said "James brother of Jesus". The peddler of which is now in jail for fraud.
At work without time to do research of my own at the moment.

Edited to note that while experts DO consider it a fraud it looks like "obstructing justice" (trying to influence a witness) is what the peddler is on the hook for not fraud. Sorry.

[BurtWorm]

8. No. That's another fraud entirely.

:patriot:

[Imperialism Inc.]

13. LOL. Thanks.

[jobycom]

19. That's part of the debate

The James box was not found in the tomb, but the flimmakers are claiming the box has the same patina, and was probably found in the tomb but removed before the tomb was studied, probably by a grave robber.

The film claims that the names on the ossuaries in the tomb decrease the odds that the names are just a coincidence, and that adding the James ossuary, which is identified as James, brother of Jesus, creates even better odds that this is the same family. Only a couple of the names in the tomb are specifically linked to Jesus or to each other--one says "Jesus, son of Joseph," and one says "Judah (I think), son of Jesus." Other than that, it's just a group of boxes with names from the Bible.

It's a very weak claim. As you said, the James box is considered to be a fraud, and there are pictures of it which seem to date from 1972, eight years before the tomb was uncovered. All they have is a tomb with over ten boxes, some of which have the same names as the Jesus family described in the Bible. Only one has a link similar to the Bible--Jesus, son of Joseph. One archaeologists says that the name "Jesus" isn't even clearly "Jesus," and could be read differently.

That's the sum of it. Who knows, it could be the right Jesus, but so far the evidence shows nothing. Jesus was a common name at the time. There are two in the Gospels, for that matter. (Jesus Barabus, and Jesus of Nazareth).

[CJCRANE]

5. I don't understand why

Christians aren't excited about this.

If Moses or Mohammed or Buddha were found there would be massive joy in those communities.

[BurtWorm]

9. Maybe it's because most Christians know in their heart of hearts

that Jesus is myth?

:shrug:

[CJCRANE]

17. But it's the opposite -

proof of his reality negates the myth.

So, people can believe in something for which there's no proof but once there is proof, they can no longer believe!

On edit: I personally would find it more comforting to know that he was a real person.

[Ninja Jordan]

11. Becuase it calls into question his divinity. (nm)

[CJCRANE]

15. But it potentially proves his existence.

It's like a Rumsfeldian Catch-22: the absence of evidence of Jesus is better for Christianity, than proof that he existed!

:shrug:

[BurtWorm]

21. Yes it is, because at heart, xianity is all about faith in the absurd.

As Tertullian long ago asserted.

[riverwalker]

18. Amos Kloner?

Compleletly objective, I am sure, in matters of early Christianity. :eyes:

Remember people, Google is your friend.

[CJCRANE]

22. I wonder what muslims makes of this?

They see Jesus as a revered prophet, almost on equal terms with Mohammed, so it could become a shrine, unless they also think that Jesus ascended bodily to heaven...