[LimitedPowers]

I don't get it: if the second half of the inscription was done by the 7th century, and the box was in a museum 20 years ago and had presumably been examined, why didn't anyone take notice of the inscription?

Anyway, it isn't necessarily a "hoax" if the whole inscription was completed in ancient times; it can't be used as evidence of the existence of Jesus, though (as if such evidence were really needed, anyway).

[Polycarp]

it can't be used as evidence of the existence of Jesus, though (as if such evidence were really needed, anyway).

EXACTLY!!!

Though some here and elsewhere with a sectarian axe to grind have used this ossuary box inscription as if it definitively disproved certain Catholic teachings about the Blessed Virgin Mary.

How absurd.

[Doctor Stochastic]

It should be easy to date the inscription."Weathering" on the incised part starts on the incision date as opposed to the surface weathering which starts on the quarry date.