The James Ossuary is still making headlines with this update on the debate of whether it's a hoax:
This dispute largely pits paleographers, who study letter shapes and styles to date and authenticate ancient inscriptions, against chemists and geologists who have examined the artifacts.
[Biblical Archaeology Review] says that among leading paleographers who study this era, none has questioned the inscription, while the main doubter lacks a university appointment. It also cites conflicting testimony about claims that people have seen the box without the Jesus inscription.
Scientists' opinions are divided, and technical questions haven't been answered satisfactorily, the magazine continues.
The article does a good job giving an overview of the issues and the players. It's important to establish whether or not the ossuary is authentic or not. But at the same time, even if it is a hoax, it simply reflects the actions of a few desperate men. We already know the Bible rests on a solid historical foundation.
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