Following the 1868 discovery of the Mesha Stele, a series of artifacts emerged, suggesting a rich Moabite culture. These finds, known as the Moabitica, quickly caught the attention of collectors and scholars, igniting a fervent race among nations to secure these treasures. At the heart of this tale is Moses Wilhelm Shapira, an antiquities dealer in Jerusalem, who found himself entangled in a web of ambition, deception, and scholarly rivalry. Despite initial excitement, doubts about the authenticity of these artifacts grew, leading to a scandal that rocked the world of biblical archaeology. In this episode, delve into the murky depths of the Moabitica affair. Were these artifacts elaborate forgeries, or is there more to the story? Ross & Jono peel back the layers of this historical enigma, exploring the intersection of archaeology, nationalism, and the quest for authenticity. Don’t miss this journey into the past, where truth is often stranger than fiction.

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