Roman era nails found in unearthed burial tomb 'were used to crucify Jesus'
In November 1990, archaeologists in south Jerusalem were taken aback as they discovered a burial cave containing 12 bone boxes, two of which bore the name 'Caiaphas' - the New Testament cites him as the high priest integral to Jesus' crucifixion.
The find also included two Roman-era nails, with one nestled within a box and another lying on the ground beside an ossuary, hinting at first-century burial customs that involved interring individuals with items for their afterlife journey.
Documentary maker Simcha Jacobovici suggested that Caiaphas, haunted by his part in condemning Jesus, might have wanted these iron pieces as companions for eternity. The nails then disappeared for roughly two decades until Jacobovici reopened the investigation, conducting a fruitless re-excavation of the tomb, followed by a detective mission on Amazon Prime's Decoding The Ancients.
During the programme, he shared his perspective from 2004: "If my hunch is right, and the Israeli archaeologists who were involved in the Caiaphas tomb suspected that the Roman nails found there had something to do with crucifixion, maybe they sent them to Professor Hershkovitz' lab at Tel Aviv University. Now, he's a forensic anthropologist, he deals with bone, not nails, but crucifixion is where bone meets the nail."
He aired further conjecture, postulating a promising direction for inquiry: "So maybe someone sent the nails there, maybe that's the right address for our investigation."
Mr Jacobovici probed Professor Israel Hershkovitz with a pointed question: "We've been tracking two nails that went missing and the antiquities authority say it was probably misplaced, did you ever get two nails together?" To which Dr Hershkovitz admitted: "Yes, we have two nails together, yes from Jerusalem. These are the two nails from Jerusalem that arrived in the lab more than 15 years ago from the second temple period."
An eager Mr Jacobovici pressed on: "Could it be 18 years ago?" And the Professor conceded: "Yeah, could be." Seizing on the moment, Mr Jacobovici asserted: "It's the only example of two nails arriving together and the fact that they're bent this way, would this be consistent with crucifixion?"
Dr Hershkovitz provided further insight: "It could be, if you put the nail through the palm of the hand, you can easily free the hand. But if you put the nail through the palm of the hand, then stick it to the wood by bending the nail, the palm of the hands are attached to the crossbar. The fact that they are bent is more consistent with crucifixion than if they were straight."
He also disclosed: "There are remnants of lime on one of the nails, that's what most ossuaries are made of."
Nails 'came from Jesus' cross'
Professor Hershkovitz was taken aback by a striking discovery: the crucifixion nails in his possession matched up with the only ones of their kind found globally, also residing in his lab. The series' narrator conveyed a sense of awe: "It seems there are the missing nails, the nails which came from Jesus' cross."
The chamber tomb, unearthed by builders in November 1990, was nestled in the Peace Forest, merely a short distance from Jerusalem's North Talpiot area, reports the Mirror US. All That's Interesting noted that Caiaphas is believed to have delivered Jesus to the Romans for crucifixion in 33 A.D., and according to LiveScience, these same nails were initially discovered within a decorated ossuary in his burial place.
Despite general scepticism among scholars regarding scriptural specifics, Caiaphas emerges as a reference of historical veracity. If the ossuary can indeed be linked to the infamous high priest, it would validate the New Testament account and provide a richer understanding of Jesus's historical context.
However, controversy has hung over the ossuary since its revelation, with some experts questioning its relation to Caiaphas due to irregularities such as misspellings on the inscription, a lack of direct mention of his role as High Priest, and the grave's unassuming nature.
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Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Israel announces 'tactical pause' for UK-backed aid air drops in Gaza as Starmer condemns 'utterly horrifying' images of children starving
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The Herald Scotland
18 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
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Insubstantial yet perhaps, but undeniable, nonetheless.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Israel to resume aid airdrops into Gaza tonight as IDF creates ‘humanitarian corridors' after growing ceasefire pleas
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ISRAEL has resumed air-dropping foreign aid into Gaza and said it will take other steps to ease the humanitarian crisis in the besieged strip. The Israeli military said "humanitarian corridors" would be established for the safe movement of UN convoys delivering aid to distraught Gazans. 11 Smoke rises after Israeli warplanes bombed buildings in a residential area Credit: AFP 11 Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in northern Gaza Credit: AP 11 A mother cradles her 18-month-old child in Gaza where fears of famine are growing Credit: Getty 11 A boy cries as he tries to receive food in the besieged territory Horror scenes of mass starvation have sparked an international outcry after Israel restricted supplies to the territory. Aid groups warned this week that Palestinians are on the brink of famine, with one in five children suffering from malnutrition. The UN warned that civilians in the besieged enclave are becoming "walking corpses". But Israel has denied responsibility, blaming Hamas for the suffering of Gaza's population. read more on gaza AID HORROR At least 20 dead as Hamas 'agitators' spark deadly crowd crush at Gaza aid site The Israeli military said in a statement that the airdrops would be conducted in coordination with international aid organisations and would include seven pallets of aid containing flour, sugar, and canned food. Palestinian sources confirmed that aid has begun dropping in northern Gaza. The IDF says aid drops would improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza and disprove "the false claim of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip". It says it has let enough food into Gaza and accuses the UN of failing to distribute it. "The IDF emphasises that there is no starvation in the Gaza Strip; this is a false campaign promoted by Hamas," the Israeli military said in its Saturday statement. "Responsibility for food distribution to the population in Gaza lies with the UN and international aid organisations. Shocking moment thousands of Gazans overrun US-backed aid site as 'shots fired' "Therefore, the UN and international organisations are expected to improve the effectiveness of aid distribution and to ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas." The UN said that Israel hadn't provided ample route alternatives for its convoys which have hindered aid access, adding that it is operating as effectively as possible under Israeli restrictions. An estimated 127 people have died due to malnutrition, including 85 children, since the start of the war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. On Wednesday, more than 100 aid agencies warned that mass starvation was spreading across the enclave. The military also said Saturday that it had connected a power line to a desalination plant, expected to supply daily water needs for about 900,000 Gazans. Israel's foreign ministry said the military would "apply a 'humanitarian pause' in civilian centres and in humanitarian corridors" on Sunday morning. The announcement came after indirect ceasefire talks in Doha between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas were broken off with no deal in sight. The UN said that humanitarian pauses in Gaza would allow "the scale up of humanitarian assistance". The Israeli military stressed that despite the humanitarian steps, "combat operations have not ceased" in the Gaza Strip. Israel is keeping up its heavy bombardment in the face of global ceasefire pleas and huge protests in Tel Aviv. 11 Smoke plumes rising from Israeli bombardment in Beit Lahia on July 9 Credit: AFP 11 Flames rise in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border Credit: Reuters 11 Flames rise in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border Credit: Reuters Explosions from fresh overnight strikes rocked the besieged coastal strip, with Israeli Defence Forces troops continuing to advance on Hamas lairs. The terrorists are still hiding out within civilian communities after the cornered Islamist group repeatedly rejected ceasefire terms. Israel has vowed to continue on the war path until they have secured the release of all of the remaining hostages snatched on October 7. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been adamant that Hamas must be wiped out in its entirety so it cannot attack ever again. Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron yesterday ramped up pressure on Israel to halt fighting as he announced France would soon recognise a Palestinian state. Macron held emergency talks over the crisis with UK PM Sir Keir Starmer, who called conditions in the 25-mile enclave 'unspeakable and indefensible'. Macron announced the move on X as he wrote: "True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. "We must also guarantee the demilitarisation of Hamas, and secure and rebuild Gaza. "Finally, we must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East. There is no alternative." A formal announcement will be made at a session of the UN General Assembly in New York in five weeks time. France will become the first G7 nation to view Palestine as its own state starting in September. Donald Trump slammed Mr Macron's announcement, saying it "doesn't matter" as he left the US for a visit to Scotland. 11 French President Emmanuel Macron meets with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas last year Credit: AFP 11 Donald Trump slammed Mr Macron's announcement saying it 'doesn't matter' Credit: Getty 11 Sir Keir has declared that statehood is the Palestinians' 'inalienable right' Credit: Reuters The US was quick to condemn Paris as Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington "strongly rejects" the announcement. Sir Keir has already declared that statehood is Palestinians' 'inalienable right' but has yet to officially declare recognition. Yesterday, the PM confirmed that the UK is working with Jordan on plans to air-drop aid into Gaza and evacuate children needing medical assistance. In a readout of the call, Number 10 said the leaders had agreed "it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently-needed ceasefire into lasting peace". "The Prime Minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to air drop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance," a Downing Street spokesperson said. However, the head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency warned airdrops were "a distraction and screensmoke" that would fail to reverse deepening starvation in Gaza, and could in some cases harm civilians. At least 59,106 people have been killed in Gaza since, according to the Gazan health ministry, which is said to be run by Hamas. And almost two million Palestinians have reportedly been displaced from the region.
