Jesus Discovery: Tomb Exploration Reveals First archaeological Evidence of Christianity from the Time of Jesus
Jesus is once again being resurrected.
With the new book, “The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find That Reveals the Birth of Christianity,” published yesterday, the archaeologists and authors are revealing that they have literally “unearthed” new information which may provide an unprecedented glimpse into Christianity’s earliest days.
In a “nearly intact” first-century tomb located below a modern condominium building in Jerusalem, a team of archeologists led by Simcha Jacobovici has found ossuaries — bone boxes for the dead — bearing engravings that could be the earliest evidence of Christian iconography in Jerusalem.
The tomb has been dated to before A.D. 70, so if its engravings are indeed early Christian, they were most likely made by some of Jesus’ earliest followers, according to the excavators.
One of the limestone ossuaries bears an inscription in Greek that includes a reference to “Divine Jehovah raising someone up” - the earliest archeological evidence of “faith in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.”
A second ossuary has an image that appears to be a large fish with a stick figure in its mouth. The excavators believe the image represents the story of Jonah, the biblical prophet who was swallowed by a fish or whale and then released.
“If anyone had claimed to find either a statement about resurrection or a Jonah image in a Jewish tomb of this period I would have said impossible — until now,” James D. Tabor, professor and chairman of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and one of the excavators, said in a news release issued by the university.
The excavators acknowledge the discovery and their interpretation are likely to be controversial.
This tomb was originally uncovered in 1981, but the original excavators were forced to leave by Orthodox Jewish groups who oppose the excavation of Jewish tombs.
The tomb was then resealed and buried beneath the condominium complex in the neighborhood of East Talpiot. Almost two decades later, Tabor and colleagues got a license to go back into the tomb; however, because of the condos on top of it and the threat of protests from Orthodox Jewish groups, they took an unconventional route into the tomb.
They inserted a robotic arm, developed for this project, carrying high-definition cameras, through holes drilled in the basement floor of the building. The cameras photographed the ossuaries inside from all sides.
This tomb is located adjacent to another one, uncovered in 1980, that contained ossuaries with names some have associated with Jesus and his family. That tomb was thoroughly excavated at the time.
Tabor’s detailed findings were published online at The Bible and Interpretation and can be seen here.
The book, “The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find That Reveals the Birth of Christianity” (Simon & Schuster, 2012), co-authored by Tabor and Jacobovici, can be purchased here.
Later this spring, a documentary on the subject will air on the Discovery Channel.
Here is a clip on Jacobovici and Tabor’s Jesus discovery:
Source: Live Science
Tags : christianity, James D. Tabor, jesus, jesus christ, Jesus Discovery, Jesus' Disciples, Jesus' Tomb, Proof jesus existed, Simcha Jacobovic, The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find That Reveals the Birth of Christianity
Posted: February 29, 2012
![Kansas TV Station Stabbing: Man Breaks Into Topeka’s WIBW News Station, Stabs 2 Employees [Video]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/kansas-tv-station-stabbing-2012-wibw-tv-ray-miles-100x100.jpg)
![Katherine Heigl Shows Off Newly Adopted Daughter [Pics]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/katherine-heigl-adopted-daughter-pics-1-100x100.jpg)
![Miley Cyrus Flashes Side Boob, Talks About Losing Her Viginity [Photo, NSFW]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/o-MILEY-CYRUS-SIDE-BOOB-SEX-SCENE-VIRGINITY-570-100x100.jpg)
![Grieving Pit Bull Stays with Dead Mate for 14 Hours [Video]](http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/grieving-pit-bull-phoenix-arizona-2012-video-100x100.jpg)
Feb 29, 2012
It is written: "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"Romans 14:11.
Feb 29, 2012
He absolutely existed! Even the greatest historians/scholars agree on this. I also believe He is the only begotten Son, our Lord! Praise His name!
Feb 29, 2012
I truly believe he did exist, but many do not.
Feb 29, 2012
I whole-heartedly beleive in him. This is just yet even more proof of His existence and that we will once again be reunited with Him in heaven! Yay I cant wait!
Feb 29, 2012
I don't need any more proof of His existence. My faith is enough.
Feb 29, 2012
Many people have different beliefs on the subject, but in the end we will see the truth. Do you really want to be caught on the side without him? I don't! I believe he is my lord and savior and I'm proud to be part of his kingdom!
Feb 29, 2012
He did not only exist. He is the Lord and the Saviour who died for our sins and deliver us from all unrighteousness. Becasue of that, we are reunited with God.
Feb 29, 2012
Sherry Schroerlucke, AMEN SISTER I BELIEVE THE WAY YOU DO, I HAVE ALL THE FAITH IN MY HEART THAT GOD GAVE HIS ONLY SON FOR OUR SINS!!!
Feb 29, 2012
It's still not conclusive proof that a real human named Jesus existed.
Feb 29, 2012
I just can't wrap my head around their question "Did Jesus of Nazereth exist?" HELLO!
Feb 29, 2012
I don't 'believe' Jesus existed…I KNOW He existed!
Feb 29, 2012
Sherrie Middleton Jesus absolutely lived – there has never been any disagreement about that. The disagreement is whether or not he was/is the son of God. And any human being that pays even a slight of attention to their spirit will know. Jesus is Lord. He is the Trinity – He is the Christ. And I will love him always with all of my heart, spirit and mind!
Feb 29, 2012
YOU ARE WRONG!!! Every scientist and Historian in the world will tell you he was an actual person. The only thing people don't agree on is whether or not he was the son of God. The fact that people in this world don't know that he even lived BLOWS MY MIND! No disrespect, but maybe do a little research before comment. People who are easily influenced will read this…and uneducated comments form doubt where there should be none. I say this with the utmost respect to you.
Feb 29, 2012
All these comments about how people don't even realize he was a real human is making me insane!!! His existence is and never has been debateable! How can someone form an opinion without knowing the facts?? someone help me understand!
Feb 29, 2012
Amen! I believe ladybug, just can't understand why the inquisitor would ask "Do you believe Jesus existed?" That is their question above the article. This is not debatable….It's history
Mar 1, 2012
Jesus is the word of god and he is full of soul (close relation with God), and he is not dead but was raised by God and will come back at the end of time; his body is unique :created without a father, but he is human and a messenger of God.
Mar 1, 2012
AMEN YOU GOT THAT RIGHT JESUS WAS GODS ONLY SON, GOD IS HIS FATHER, AND HE WALKED THIS EARTH AS WE DO, HOW ANYONE CAN NOT HAVE FAITH IN THAT BEING TRUE IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME, HE WAS NOT CREATED WITHOUT A FATHER GOD IS HIS FATHER!!!
Mar 1, 2012
Thats right I can't see air but I know it is real, just like I have not seen JESUS OR GOD, BUT MY FAITH makes me know they BOTH ARE REAL, JESUS WALKED THIS EARTH AS WE DO, GOD IS HIS FATHER, I BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL!!!
Mar 2, 2012
Now, perhaps the Jewish people will see that their Messiah came first to embrace them and then the Gentiles…just pray that they will see the Light/Truth in Jesus the Christ…That is the way! that is Salvation! Shabbat Shalom
Mar 12, 2012
Sherrie Middleton HELLO, THEN READ THE BIBLE!!!
Mar 12, 2012
Carrie Pellicer YOU NEED TO READ THE BIBLE OR LISTEN TO A PREACHER OR SCIENTIST, HE DID EXIST, I HOPE YOU GET IT TOGETHER, AND BELIEVE THATS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN, IN JESUS NAME I PRAY FOR YOU, AMEN!!!
Mar 12, 2012
Sherry Schroerlucke ~I've read it in it's entirety, believe Jesus is the only begotten Son, our LORD! Praise His name! Is their a point to the comment "read the bible" or did you not read my full comment on here?? If you are saying this thinking I don't believe…YOU ARE VERY WRONG! Please don't judge or write a comment dripping with disdain until you have read my whole conversation on here. It is people like you who turn people off from Christ! If your comment was written in LOVE it would've have a whole different effect IF I WERE A NON BELIEVER! Praying for you sister<3
Mar 16, 2012
He is the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit….! He is the Christ! The holy trinity. The true savior. I go to the cross everyday. Jesus is God!
Mar 16, 2012
Sherrie Middleton Amen!