evanoff
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Posted on Thu, Dec. 23, 2004
Israel Antiquities Collector to Be Charged
KARIN LAUB
Associated Press
JERUSALEM - An Israeli antiquities collector who claimed he discovered the burial box of Jesus' brother James will be charged with forgery next week, a Justice Ministry spokesman said Thursday.
The spokesman, Jacob Galanti, said the indictment against Oded Golan contained several charges, including forgery, but declined to elaborate.
Uzi Dahari, the deputy director of Israel's Antiquities Authority, said six others also would be charged in the case, but Galanti said he was unaware of any additional indictments.
Golan said he is innocent of wrongdoing and had not been told of any charges pending against him.
"I have been legally collecting antiquities for the past 44 years," he said. "I have received no notification of any indictment or formal charge to date."
Galanti said prosecutors had to act now because some of the artifacts seized during the investigation would have to be returned to their owners unless charges were filed by Jan. 1.
Golan came to prominence after the October 2002 disclosure of the existence of an ancient ossuary, or burial box, bearing the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus." At the time, the find was touted as one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the modern era, demonstrating a physical connection between the modern world and the Bible.
However, the Antiquities Authority concluded the inscription on the 20-inch by 11-inch burial container was a forgery, saying the letters were cut through the ancient patina covering the box.
Continue story here:
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/10486911.htm
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Lisa Evanoff
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