This may be confusing to those who haven’t been following these articles since the articles refer to different ossuaries which were found at different times in different locations and at different times.
Bibilcal archeology and Biblical studies are often at odds and violent disagreements are common among adherents of one POV or another. The stakes are not only financial but involve the reputations of scholars—and nothing is more vitriolic than the arguments between scholars of different opinion.
And this is in addition to the reluctance of Israel to delve into these matters which involve the birth of a religious sect (Christianity) which grew out of their Jewish tradition, the opposition of Muslims to anything which involves Jewish life in Israel and Jerusalem before their Prophet, and the reluctance of Christians/clegy to accept any archeological evidence that might differ from their own parochial view.
Anything that has to do with Jesus as a historical figure is radioactive.
Well put! As always, FReepers rise to the occasion!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2914340/posts?page=33#33