Caiaphas Family Ossuary Found Authentic

October 10, 2011

The ossuary, a stone chest used for secondary burial of bones, belonged to the granddaughter of Caiaphas, the high priest involved in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus. Ossuaries were quite common in tombs in Israel from the late first century BC until the beginning of the second century AD, a custom based on their belief in the resurrection of the dead.

Since the ossuary was not found in a controlled archaeological excavation and because of its special importance, it was subjected to microscopic examinations using an environmental scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectrometer. The patina covering the sides was checked, with emphasis on the patina covering the inscription.

“Ma'aziah” in the inscription is the name given to the last of the 24 priestly courses that served in the Temple. The list of courses, formulated during King David’s reign, appears in I Chronicles 24:1–19. It is also mentioned in Nehemiah 10:9. This inscription is the first reference to the Ma’aziah course in an epigraphic find from the Second Temple Period. Before the find, it was not known that Caiaphas belonged to the Ma'aziah course.

Investigations determined that the ossuary came from a burial cave in the Valley of Elah, southwest of Jerusalem. Because it was plundered from its original location, it‘s impossible to know its full story.

Source: By Charleeda Sprinkle, Assistant Editor