The distribution of the chemical elements of the patina on the decoration of the Stone Oil Lamp (SOL) is identical to the patina in the bottom of the SOL and similar to the elements found in the stone. Soot was found embedded within the multi-layered calcitic patina which is attached firmly to the lamp’s outer and inner surface.
The Judge Aharon Farkash, concluded that the determination of the prosecution experts about the glue “sodium silicate” remains a possibility which required further testing. The judge accepted the testimony of the defense adhesive expert Professor Hanna Dodiuk that the evidence submitted by the prosecution experts was not sufficient to prove the existence of glue. The judge accepted Dr. Daren’s testimony that found no differences between the patina on the decorations and the patina from the bottom/inside of the SOL which indicate no act of forgery.
The Judge accepted Dr. Sussman’s report (an oil lamp expert) that the decorations of the Menorah and the seven species, namely wheat, figs, pomegranates, palm tree (honey), grapes, olives and barley are most probably authentic and that the age of the SOL is probably from the first CE century, before the destruction of the second Temple.
The Judge wrote in his verdict: “After weighing all the evidences and testimonies for this indictment, there is a reasonable doubt in my mind as to the fake decorations on the Stone Oil Lamp.” Therefore, he acquitted Golan by a reasonable doubt of forging the decorations. The Judge, in his verdict, strengthened our determination about the authenticity of the decorations of the SOL.
See Also:
Essays on the James Ossuary and the Temple Tablet from Bible and Interpretation
THE JEHOASH INSCRIPTION TABLET-AFTER THE VERDICT
Implications of the “Forgery Trial” Verdict on the Authenticity of the James Ossuary
An Archaeometric Analysis of the “Miriam Ossuary” – Zissu and Goren, 2011
A Stone Oil Lamp with Seven Nozzles Carved with Jewish Symbols from the Late Second Temple Period.
By Amnon Rosenfeld
Emeritus, Geological Survey of Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
By Michael Dvorachek
Emeritus, Geological Survey of Israel
Jerusalem, Israel
By Steve Daren
Daren Laboratories and Scientific Consultants
Nes Ziona, Israel
By Howard R. Feldman
The Anna Ruth and Mark Hasten School
Touro College, Division of Paleontology, N.Y.
American Museum of Natural History
New York
By Wolfgang E. Krumbein
Department of Geomicrobiology, ICBM
Carl von Ossietzky Universitaet, Oldenburg
Germany
By Yoel Kronfeld
Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences
Tel-Aviv University
Tel-Aviv, Israel
August 2012
To read this article in its entirety, we have presented it here in PDF format.