A new book entitled L'Affaire des Fausses Reliques, Enquete au Coeur des Trafics de Vestiges Biblique (Paris: Albin Michel, 2005), by French investigative reporter Patrick Jean-Baptiste, blasts the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) for its handling of the inquiry into the James Ossuary and other inscriptions alleged to be forgeries. The inquiry has lead to the indictment of five leading figures in the Israeli antiquities market, including prominent collector, dealer, restorer and at least two others.
The book, according to translated excerpts appearing in the July/August 2005 issue of Biblical Archaeology, questions the independence, motives and integrity of the IAA in pursuing its case. The magazine quotes one passage: "After a two-year inquiry, from the number of dead-end trails, rumors and insinuations, it seems clear that this new affair is a pretext to destroy the Israeli antiquities market as a way of preventing archaeological looting." The magazine also quotes Jean-Baptiste accusing the IAA of "telling a number of lies and half-truths....They also falsified certain facts."
These sentiments seem consistent with those expressed by many art market insiders familiar with the pending case. Regardless of outcome, this is an ugly case that is being played out in the media and the courts. Sadly, this is occurring in a market where there has generally been good cooperation between the archaeological community and the licensed antiquities dealer community.