The Nail from Christ’s Cross: A Fantasy

A few days ago, I posted an article announcing that archaeologists had discovered a nail that some believed to have originated in the first century, at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. For this reason, some people believed that the nail was similar to nails used by the Romans on Christ’s Cross.

However, Archaeologist Élvio Sousa of the Center for the Study of Modern and Contemporary Archeology (CEAM) on the Portuguese island of Madeira has denied that the nail came from the first century. In a statement released by CEAM, Souza called the alleged discovery of three Templar skeletons and a 'crucifixion nail' dating from the Roman era "a fantasy." Élvio Duarte Martins Sousa is an archaeologist and researcher at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Lisbon, Portugal.

Below is the statement released by from CEAM:

Subject: Roman Relics (Board) found in Madeira (Forte São José).

The news published yesterday in England, on the assumed Roman relics found in archaeological excavations carried out at Fort São José,erected in the eighteenth century, at Funchal Port, Madeira, requiresthe following statement from the Scientific Council of CEAM:

1. Considering the scientific archaeological work done by CEAM at Fort São José (2004-2006), is manifestly false the news of the discovery of Roman objects, especially in an area (dig) that corresponds with the excavated area.

2. This dig identified, to the bedrock, objects dating from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although there are some traces that can date back to the seventeenth century.

3. The news of the findings of Romans relics is a "fantasy," even more ridiculous by the sensationalist news of a wooden box (incredibly preserved, near the sea, over two thousand years), with three skeletons and three swords.

4. The nail that illustrates the news, if discovered inside the fort, it is just an object used in residential constructions during the early Moderns times (seventeenth and eighteenth centuries). Many nails like this were found in the excavations (2004-2006). Equally, the references to skeletons are also a creation, to give emphasis to the mythical theory.

5. This view is supported by the British archaeologist and expert at Roman archeology Brian Philp (Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit) who has been following the present study of archaeological materials in partnership with the Scientific Council of CEAM.

6. In conclusion: this is a pure imagination, without accuracy and scientific crediblity. We are not familiarized with Mr Christopher Macklin and Bryn Walters and we do not recognize in them, any authority in the findings within this Military construction.

Élvio Sousa

HT: Chris Cunnyngham

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

If you enjoyed reading this post, subscribe to my posts here.

Tags: Christ, Crucifixion, Cross, Nail

A Nail from Christ’s Cross?

Image: A Nail from the First Century

Photo: Greg Grundy





The Telegraph of London is reporting that a nail believed to be dated from the time when Christ was crucified has been found at a fort that probably belonged to the Knights Templar.

Archaeologists believe that the nail’s remarkable preservation indicates that the nail was kept as a precious religious relic. For this reason it is possible that Knights Templar believed that this nail was one of the nails used in Christ’s crucifixion.

Read the story in its entirety by clicking here.


Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

If you enjoyed reading this post, subscribe to my posts here.

Tags: Christ, Crucifixion, Cross, Nail

A Christian Cross from a Cave in Israel

Photograph: Courtesy University of Haifa




In a recent post, I reported on the largest human-made cave in Israel which was discovered by Israeli archaeologist Adam Zertal. According to published reports, the “cave may have served as a monastery and a hideout for persecuted Christians or the Roman army.”

National Geographic has published several photographs of the caves and its content. Among the items found in the cave, archaeologists discovered what could be a Zodiac sign dating to around the first century B.C. or the first century A.D., thirty-one Christian crosses, Roman letters, and what looks to be a Roman army pennant etched into the cave’s columns.

The above photograph shows one of the crosses found in the cave. The crosses may come from a time when Christians used the cave as a hiding place.

To see all the photos of the cave, visit the National Geographic web page.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Adam Zertal, Archaeology, Cross, Zodiac

The Nails on Jesus’ Cross

There is an old song that speak of the three rusty nails that were used to crucify Christ on the cross. The first verse of that hymn begins as follows:

Three Rusted Nails

Two thousand years ago you sent your son
You wanted us to understand
That who so ever would believe in him
Would be safe in his hands

(Chorus)
With three rusty nails and an old dogwood tree
The sacrifice was made for you and me
We were afraid to say that he was the one
What have we done to your son

Now, those three rusty nails that were used to crucify Christ is available for sale on eBay. Anyone interested in having that treasure of antiquity can have it by paying 10,000 euros. Below is a picture of the three rusty nails. However, if you are planning the buy the authentic nails used to crucify Christ, you better hurry up, I believe there are only a few sets left.




HT: Lingamish


Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Christ, Cross, Nails