Geologist claims new evidence supports theory that the Talpiot Tomb is Christ’s burial place

A GEOLOGIST has reignited the debate over the location of Jesus Christ’s tomb by saying he has “virtually unequivocal evidence” of its location.

Entrance to burial cave tomb in southern Jerusalem, Israel where ossuary boxes are claimed to hold the remains of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalane and their son Judah, by film "The Lost Tomb of Jesus".

A GEOLOGIST has reignited the debate over the location of Jesus Christ’s tomb by saying he has “virtually unequivocal evidence” of its location.

Dr Aryeh Shimron, 79, based in Jerusalem, told the New York Times that he believes the Talpiot Tomb — a burial site found in East Jerusalem in 1980 — was the family tomb of Jesus, his wife Mary Magdalene and their son Judah.

“I think I’ve got really powerful, virtually unequivocal evidence that the James ossuary spent most of its lifetime, or death time, in the Talpiot Tomb,” Dr Shimron said.

Controversy ... Entrance to burial cave tomb in southern Jerusalem, Israel, where ossuary boxes supposedly hold the remains of Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene and their son, Judah, in the film "The Lost Tomb of Jesus". Picture: Supplies

Dubbed “The Lost Tomb of Jesus” in James Cameron’s 2007 documentary, the Talpiot Tomb has been at the centre of controversy ever since two ancient Christian relics claiming existence of Jesus’ brother, son and wife were found at the site.

The first artefact, a burial box for bones (ossuary), bares the inscription: “James son of Joseph brother of Jesus”.

Its owner, an Israeli collector, said he bought it in the 1970s from an antiques dealer, but the Israel government has since declared it a forgery. However, in 2012 a Jerusalem court ruled that the state had failed to adequately prove its case.

The second major discovery is the burial chamber — the Talpiot Tomb — which contained 10 ossuaries bearing the names of several New Testament figures, including “Jesus son of Joseph” and “Mary”.

Ancient discovery ... Canadian filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici is seen at the entrance to a cave in Jerusalem, Israel, in the documentary, "The Lost Tomb Of Jesus”. Picture: AFP

Dr Shimron told the New York Times that geochemical tests on the 10th ossuary — the one with the inscription: “James son of Joseph brother of Jesus” — make it highly likely the box was recently removed from among the others in the Talpiot Tomb.

Dr Shimron said he made the connection by matching specific elements found in samples collected from the tomb, such as Rendzina, a thick layer of a type of soil characteristic of East Jerusalem hills.

This discovery was widely propagated by Cameron’s documentary, leading the documentary’s writer, Simcha Jacobovici, an Israeli-born filmmaker based in Toronto, to argue that this was evidence proving Jesus had a family.

Most archaeologists and experts, however, have rejected the theory, saying the names were common at the time.