By Maryanna Gabriel
Sometimes we forgot the point of the December hullabaloo I
studied and worked in archaeology when I was younger and I am currently following
the documentaries by Canadian filmmaker and academic Simcha Jacobovici with
avid interest. In 1980 a remarkable tomb
was discovered in Jerusalem often referred to as the Talpiot Tomb. The implications
of the tomb and contents have languished in dusty basements since but recently
Professor Jacobovici has made some exciting extrapolations, and integrated noteworthy
findings. The tomb has several features that are remarkable but primarily the
ossuaries (bone boxes) contain names of principal characters and family members
associated with Jesus Christ and also includes a box that may be that of
Christ’s. What is more remarkable is the context. The statistics for finding a
cluster of this type that dates to the time is worthy of serious
consideration. I was further compelled
when I saw a documentary made to refute these findings. Not only was it scant
and emotional, it did not, to my mind, directly refute the careful research
that has thus far been presented. Professor Jacobovici is working with many
experts, including a DNA laboratory in Canada, and has published a book in
conjunction with Dr. James Tabor, of the University of North Carolina,
entitled, “The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeology That Reveals The Birth Of
Christianity.” Over the Christmas season these documentaries may be played
again. They are definitely compelling and well worth checking out. These bones
of contention in the holy land are ground breaking, earth shattering, and cutting
edge and all very apropos for December 2012.