Caiaphas Ossuary

The Bone Box (ossuary) Caiaphas was discovered in 1990 by chance during earthwork on a hill south of the old city of Jerusalem. Twelve bone boxes (Ossuaries) were found in the burial cave. One, very ornate, was inscribed, in two places, “Joseph son of Caiaphas.” Inside the box, the skeletal remains of a 50-year-old male were documented. The ossuary is most likely of Caiaphas, the high priest who interrogated Jesus after the “Last Supper,” and is one of the most important finds related to both Christian and Jewish history. It is on display at the Israel Museum next to the Pilate Stone and the pierced foot of the crucified man from Jerusalem.