The Right Man for the Inscription

The James ossuary may not have come to light had it not been for a series of fortunate events. André Lemaire, one of the world’s leading epigraphers (specialists in inscriptions), was in Jerusalem from April until September this year at Hebrew University’s Institute for Advanced Study. The Institute hosts scholars from abroad and allows them to interact with each other and with their Israeli colleagues on areas of specialized research; Lemaire’s field of study is Hebrew during the Biblical period in the broader context of Northwest Semitic languages.

As on previous stays in Jerusalem, Lemaire learned of important ancient objects either recently found in excavations or new to the antiquities market. Because of his expertise, Lemaire is often asked to examine such “fresh” finds. The Israel Antiquities Authority, for example, asked him if he thought a badly damaged seal from the end of the First Temple period is genuine (he thinks it is).

Sometimes Lemaire is also shown objects owned by antiquities collectors, either recently acquired or long held. During his most recent stay in Jerusalem, Lemaire happened to meet a certain collector by chance; the collector mentioned that he had some objects he wanted Lemaire to see. One of them was the James ossuary.