Wednesday, November 13, 2013

James Ossuary inscription "vandalized" by authorities?

MATTHEW KALMAN: Scientific vandalism:How the IAA and Israeli Police wrecked the James ossuary (James Ossuary Trial Jerusalem Blog).
The Israel Police Forensics Laboratory applied red silicon to the inscription to create a mold that might show it was a modern addition. The procedure proved nothing, but it left reddish stains in the grooves of the letters and ripped out the ancient patina that covers archaeological items and helps determine their authenticity.
Evidently the Trial's Judge was not pleased.

Background here and links.