About five years ago a Jordanian Bedouin noticed a menorah half buried after a flash flood. In retrieving the menorah he found other items. These were not buried by the flood, they had been exposed by it. Writer Fiona MacRae reported that the intriguing part of this find was 70 little books, made of lead leaves held together with wire rings, ancient ring binders about the size of credit cards.
Some were sealed, others could be opened to show the engraved images, symbols and text. They are believed to be around 2,000 years old.
They were found in Jordan, but were claimed by an Israeli Bedouin, and it is rumored that they were smuggled into Israel. There is now a custody battle over these mini-books.
Fake or Fact
Several academics have seen the lead codices, and opinions differ on their authenticity. Some experts on religion have said that the symbols and text are identical to those seen in other early writings. Materials experts have weighed in, reporting that the level of decay cannot be forged.
Christian scholars are excited, because one of the the images depicts a cross, with a small building behind it and walls in the background. They believe this shows the crucifixion, the walls of Jerusalem and the tomb where Jesus Christ was buried, and from which he was resurrected. Their excitement also stems from knowledge of statements in the Book of Revelation. One statement refers to sealed books which were only seen by Jesus and his disciples. One of the recently discovered books has small wire rings on each side, two on the top and bottom, five on the left side and three on the right. If the five on the left are the binding rings then the book has seven seals. In Chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation the seven seals are opened, with dire results.
Other experts have said that the Middle East markets are full of fake religious icons and that these are obviously devised to create publicity and make money. See also Lead Books May Show the Face of Jesus
History
The caves in this part of Jordan were used by many people fleeing the Romans during the war against the Jews around 70 AD. Some believe the terrible things written in the Book of Revelation allude to this time, when many Jews were threatened with death if they did not renounce their religion. Cities were besieged, people committed suicide rather than renounce their god. Many felt the Judaic faith was catastrophically threatened. If these are the sealed books referred to in Revelation they should probably stay sealed and allow the mystery to continue. Without all the speculation on the writings of St. John the Divine, we would be without many fine paintings, several books and one or two good movies.
When the Jordanians and the Israeli guardian of the codices have finished wrangling over ownership the books will probably be sold to the highest bidder. Then we'll see what happens as the seals are broken.
Update: Lead Books Pronounced Fake. April 11, 2011
Source
- MacRae, F., "Could this be the biggest find since the Dead Sea Scrolls? Seventy metal books found in cave in Jordan could change our view of Biblical history". Daily Mail Online, March 30, 2011.
Sally Anne Lewis - Sally has master's degrees in science and journalism, is fascinated to a degree in most things. Always something to learn.
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