The Jesus Dynasty / James Tabor

For those interested in some of the chronological matters related to the discovery of the Talpiot tomb in 1980 it just so happens that the days of the week and days of the month coincide on the Jewish calendar for the year 1980 and this year 2007. That makes “today” the anniversary date of the first report of the opening of the Tomb.

Gregorian/Jewish Years: 1980 (5740) and 2007 (5767):

Passover began/begins on Monday night, Nisan 14th

Tomb reported to IAA by building crew on previous Thursday, Nisan 10th

Initial inspection by Amos Kloner, Friday, Nisan 11th

Tomb open and unattended over Shabbat (Shabbat HaGadol in Jewish tradition), Nisan 12th

Active beginning of the excavation by Yosi Gath with Shimon Gibson and three workers, Sunday, Nisan 13th

For a fuller discussion of what we know of that weekend in 1980 based on the original excavation notes of Joseph Gath see my March 21, 2007 post, A Passover in 1980.