“Science and archaeology are not intended to form, but inform, religion.” Prof. James Charlesworth

This is an acceptable view. The input from the specialists is absolutely essential for moving the process forward to better understand the setting and background of two of the world’s monotheistic faiths. However, we should still remember that there were a number of scholars who originally participated in the film and, although invited to come to the symposium, refused to participate.

I was one of the more fortunate ones. After some months I was presented with better photos of the Yeshua? bar Yehosef inscription by the filmmakers, and had come to a revised, but non-useful conclusion (to them), that the name “Yeshua?” was not the first one placed on the ossuary. They removed the part of the film where I read from the inscriptions (and suddenly I was renamed as an assistant to Steven Cox, the forensic expert . . . not true, of course).

We should remember the fury of so many who felt that their interviews were mishandled by the filmmakers. Soon after the film was aired, most of those who were interviewed made public statements which “clarified” their positions substantially. See the following article:

“Cracks in the Foundation”: How “The Lost Tomb of Jesus” Documentary is losing its scholarly support

The next time that the media wants to publish the new findings of such specialists, will they be willing to give an interview? Unfortunately, in all too many cases that I am aware of, the answer will be “No.”