Let’s face it. The “discovery” of the 70 some odd lead codices, said to be of either Christian or Kabbalistic origin have been THE BUZZ on the internet the last few days. But why? Because they are (for the moment) an inexplicable archaeological mystery, steeped with intrigue and sensationalism… Just the type of stuff from which our favorite movies are made. Their discovery has had the Yahoo! News, BBC and now the Christian Science Monitor all jump on the band wagon, reporting on this discovery, adding to the credibility of the find.
But many scholars & laymen alike are having serious doubts about their authenticity, and asking some good questions which should give us pause. A recent post from the rogueclassicist catalogs a lot of these in his latest post entitled, “Lead Codices Silliness.” Although I disagree with him on one or two points, I think he does a great job at bringing the assessment back to reality, rather than leaving it to the realm of melodrama. One thing he mentions in passing is an allusion to a report concerning the recent & alleged discovery of Atlantis. Just last week it was reported by the Jerusalem Post that Hartford University Prof. Richard Freund claims to have not only found the lost, sunken city of Atlantis, but that it turns out to actually be the biblical city of Tarshish (remember Jonah?).
So how do the lead codices connect to Atlantis, you might be asking? Really, only in one way – sensationalism. Although we have seen a great resurgence in biblical archaeology in the last decade or so, we have also seen the crazies come out of the closet and try to capitalize on the renewed interest. When we can claim that Atlantis has been found through the use of Google Earth, we can easily create all kinds of outlandish claims in other arenas within the archaeological realm.
Lastly, it looks like all of this is starting to come to a head. Aaron Eby (Boundary Stones, Biblical Kosher, etc.) recently posted a new link to PaleoJudaica exposing a previous copper codex belonging to David Elkington as an absolute fake, and are related to the Jordanian cache of codices. What a shame. How many scandals does it take to get these guys to wake up?
Will anything from these ever be more than a fraud? Let’s keep hoping…
Similar Posts:
- Lead Codices Followup
- Newly Found Lead Codices – Christian or Kabbalistic?
- Israelites found in Ancient Egypt
- New Text of Ben Sira Found Among Cairo Geniza Fragments
- Historical House of Jesus Found?
Unfortunately, I think we’re going to be left waiting a while. I can’t help to be very skeptical… yet intrigued.
Wendell B Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 8:19 am
I hope not! But its a lucrative market no doubt.
“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:1
This is from a very close relative of Mr Elkington, not myself, thought it might be worth a read, I am his son’s Aunt,(Mothers side)
I have know David Elkington, whose real name is Paul Elkington, but has also been known by many others too, for many years the fact being i am a family member. To put the record straight once and for all Paul is by no means a Scholar of Ancient Religious Archaeology or a Scholar of anything else. Neither is he a Professor, a Lord, (which he has used over the years for his own gain) or have large amounts of letters after his name. He is in fact a conman to which many people would willingly state. This man has emotionly hurt elderly and ill people and sucked them dry financially. I think the uk police would like some truthful answers to a few questions too. He has hurt his own family and disowned his own son who so much would a like a normal relationship with him, but that’s never going to happen because Paul Elkington is far from normal or compassionate, in my opinion he needs medical attention.
It would be fantastic to find these to be real but I agree, we need to proceed with great caution. It’s sad that people prey on the vulnerability of others.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
Hey Darren. Thanks for your great coverage of this stuff. I’ve linked to you from my latest Weekly Bracha.
Blessings in Messiah.
Darren Reply:
April 5th, 2011 at 4:38 am
Thanks, Judah! Blessings from Huckeyland!