In northern Israel, a man named Hassan Saeda claims to possess a collection of metal books he says are around 2,000 years old, potentially shedding light on early Christianity. The books, made entirely of various metals and inscribed with Greek and Old Hebrew, have sparked both intrigue and scepticism among experts.
Saeda asserts the books have been in his family for 120 years, discovered by his grandfather in a cave. However, others suggest he found or bought them in Jordan within the last five years and smuggled them into Israel. Saeda acknowledges that many experts consider the books fakes, but he maintains their authenticity, stating, 'This is a real book.'
The so-called 'Lead Codices' have drawn comparisons to a long history of dubious biblical artefacts, from pieces of the 'True Cross' to alleged foreskins of Jesus. Antiquities dealer Lenny Wolfe, who declined to invest in the codices, notes that sensational claims often accompany fakes. He is writing a book on forgeries in biblical archaeology, citing numerous controversies.
Joe Zias, former senior curator at the Israel Antiquities Authority, echoes the scepticism, applying the golden rule: extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. He observes that popular culture, from Indiana Jones to The Da Vinci Code, has fuelled public fascination with such artefacts, but rigorous evidence remains paramount.
