In 1990, construction workers in the Peace Forest south of Jerusalem accidentally broke into a 1st-century burial cave containing 12 ossuaries (bone boxes used in Jewish secondary burial). The most ornate was inscribed twice: "Yehosef bar Qayafa" — Joseph son of Caiaphas — matching Josephus's name for the high priest who presided over Jesus's trial. Inside were the bones of a 60-year-old man.
Why this matters
The most likely physical remains of Caiaphas, the high priest named in all four Gospels. While not certain (the inscription could refer to a relative), the family name and date make it the strongest candidate, and the find establishes the Caiaphas family in 1st-century Jerusalem as the Gospels describe.
Scripture references
Matthew 26:57-68John 11:49-53John 18:13-14Acts 4:6
Location
Israel Museum, Jerusalem