Dr. Bock,

I’m an engineer, and a christian. As a layperson, I’m enjoying and learning so much about archeology, and new testament and history in this discussion.

But I think that exist one more strong evidence against “Jesus Tomb” statistics: Probably, much more than 6 people were buried in Talpiot tomb.

Kloner in: "A Tomb with Inscribed Ossuaries in East Talpiyot, Jerusalem", 'Atiquot (Jerusalem), vol. 29 (1996):

“The number of interments may be estimated at 35: 17 in the ossuaries (based on an average of 1.7 individuals per ossuary) and 18 outside the ossuaries. These figures are based on demographic data compiled by the author (see Kloner 1993:105)”

So, if Kloner is right (I do think he is), Jesus, son of Joseph, was buried with other 34 close relatives (father, mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, nieces…) from his extended family.

What are their names?

Suppose that 17 were male relatives and 17 were female.

We learn from Bauckham, that 20 % of first century jewish women were called Mary (or Mariam, Mariamme, Mariame, Marya, Mariamne…), and, at least 10 % Mara or Martha. We learn also that almost 10 % of Jewish men were called Joseph, Simon, Lazarus (Eleazar), or even Judas.

If Talpiot family names follow this trend (it is a simplification, we could refine this), we can expect about 4 Marys buried there (maybe 3, perhaps 5). So, there is no surprise if two of them have inscribed ossuaries. Furthermore, we could expect 2 Marthas buried there also. In the male line, there is no surprise if we find 2 Josephs or 2 Judas, even 2 Simons and 2 Lazarus.

So if all Talpiot people had be inscribed in ossuaries, we probably have a cluster of 4 or 5 Marys, 3 Salomes, 2 Marthas, 2 Simons, 2 Lazarus and 2 Josephs. But this cluster of name would be very common in Jewish families in that time.

Pfann: “The Improper Application of Statistics in "The Lost Tomb of Jesus"
“If other tombs contained so many inscribed ossuaries, the name census in most other tombs would be very much the same. This being the case, there very well could be numerous tombs which could have claim to the title "a Jesus' family tomb." However in all cases, as in this, there would be no compelling reason to connect them with Jesus of Nazareth!”

At Jerusalem, in first century, almost 500 men were called “Jesus, Son of Joseph”. And I think that almost all of these “Jesuses” had several Marys, and Josephs, or Judas in their families. So a cluster with Mary, Martha, Joseph, Judas, or even John, Simon or Lazarus have no statistical significance.

Nehemias