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Archaeologists in Israel and around the world are getting caught up in a festering controversy over artifact authenticity.

First it was the James Ossuary, the burial box with the inscription connecting it to the brother of Jesus. Many archaeologists overcame their profession's hesitancy in dealing with items with uncertain histories and publicly endorsed compelling evidence in favor of its authenticity.

Last June the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) famously announced that its investigation found the inscription a forgery. But a few Ossuary supporters say the counterevidence is, so far, unconvincing.

Another artifact, known as the Jehoash Tablet, surfaced at about the same time as the Ossuary. Investigators eventually traced it to the same controversial collector, Israeli engineer Oded Golan.

Many archaeologists saw the Tablet's ancient inscription—like the inscription on the Ossuary—as being almost too good to be true. (The inscription describes repairs to the Jewish Temple under the reign of King Jehoash, which occurred in the 9th century B.C., according to 2 Kings 12.)

The IAA study committee also evaluated the Jehoash Tablet. The committee concluded that its gold-flecked patina (the aging sheen of the stone) was not natural.

It also said the inscription reflected more modern word usage.

But as in the case of the James Ossuary, critics accuse the IAA of a rush to judgment. Four Israeli scholars have called for another, more careful investigation, "without prejudice."

David Merling, professor of archaeology at Andrews University and president of the Near East Archaeological Society, said archaeology must be done without an agenda. "We need to make sure that we draw the theories from the data and not evaluate the data based on theories."

Meanwhile, scholars who doubt the authenticity of the Ossuary and the Tablet are questioning other artifacts on exhibit at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Some scholars describe a tiny inscribed ivory pomegranate on display since 1988 as the only surviving relic of the first Hebrew Temple. AndrÉ Lemaire, the French scholar who discovered the James Ossuary in Golan's collection, attested to its authenticity.

The IAA now says the pomegranate is a forgery but has not revealed the nature of its evidence. The IAA wants to run tests on it. Museum officials maintain its authenticity.

The IAA's Theft Prevention Unit claims it has discovered dozens of forgeries. It says they came from a forgery factory during the last 15 years and that Golan is a key figure in an investigation. But authorities have no yet charged Golan with any crime.

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Christianity Today's earlier coverage of archaeology includes:

Why We Dig the Holy Land | If biblical archaeology is not reinvigorated, Scripture-illuminating evidence will remain buried in the Middle East. (Sept. 26, 2003)

Listening to the Fifth Gospel | The sun-baked ruins of the Holy Land have a story to tell. By David Neff (Sept. 25, 2003)

What Do the Stones Cry Out? | Beware of claims that archaeology disproves—or proves—the Bible is true. By Christian M.M. Brady (Sept. 24, 2003)

Top Ten New Testament Archaeological Finds of the Past 150 Years | How do shrouds, boats, inscriptions, and other artifacts better help us understand the Christ of the Ages? By Ben Witherington (Sept. 23, 2003)

Bones of Contention | Why I still think the James bone box is likely to be authentic. By Ben Witherington (Sept. 22, 2003)

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May 2004, Vol. 48, No. 5