Israeli archaeologists have uncovered what they believe could be the oldest church ever found in the Holy Land — a discovery experts say may shed new light on early Christianity. However, some scholars are calling it a publicity stunt.
"It's a myth," said Franciscan priest and archaeologist Michel Piccirillo, as reported in the Toronto Star. "It seems to be more propaganda and advertisement for tourists than anything else." Piccirillo said there is no doubt the November discovery at Megiddo—the traditional site of Armageddon described in the Book of Revelation—ranks as an early Christian church, quite possibly from the fourth century. But based on what has been shown, there is little to distinguish it from more than 260 other churches of the Byzantine era in Israel.
Such debates over authenticity are commonplace in archaeology—especially in Israel, where much of the world's leading archaeological community resides. The fiasco surrounding the James ossuary—a burial box presented to the media in 2002 and said to have once held the body of Jesus' brother James—was highly publicized and even showcased at Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum in 2003. It was later said to have a forged inscription. The antiquities collector who unveiled the discovery, Oded Golan, was accused of embellishing ancient relics. Israeli authorities are trying to put him behind bars. Golan and his co-accused maintain their innocence.
Michael Gregg, a doctoral candidate in anthropology at the University of Toronto, has been on several archaeological digs in the Middle East. In an interview with the Record, Gregg said, "You need to be critical. The James ossuary is a pretty good example of that. It's a lesson we need to learn from— especially when dealing with biblical myths."
He said archaeologists have to record their biases and prejudices before beginning an excavation in order to increase credibility and announce any preconceived notions that could influence interpretation.
"What is your ethnic agenda? Your gender agenda? What perceptions are there? You're interpreting the archaeological record, so anyone in the future has to know where you're coming from."
He said the language in Israel's archaeological world currently revolves around trying to identify Israeli identity in early historical contexts. "Whether the evidence bears that out remains to be seen."
As for the most recent discovery at Megiddo, many have already sung its praises. "It's an historic discovery that serves as confirmation to Christians all over the world," Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Vatican's envoy to the Holy Land, told Israeli television.
Others are more skeptical, as noted in the Star. "The dating will be crucial," said Yisca Harani, an independent Israeli scholar specializing in early Christian antiquity. "We have to wait for the full picture and only then can we throw around these big statements." – AM with files from ENI
