A papyrus fragment that mentions Jesus's wife is likely ancient, probably dating between the sixth and ninth century, latest research shows.

When Karen L. King, the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, announced the fragment's existence in September 2012, there was a widespread debate over its authenticity. The fragment, known as the "Gospel of Jesus’s Wife," probably originated from Egypt. It's written in Coptic and contains the phrase "Jesus said to them, 'my wife...,'" never before seen in any ancient text. It also mentions Jesus's mother and a female disciple, who may be identified as "Mary."

Now, James Yardley, senior research scientist in the Center for Integrated Science and Engineering at Columbia University, and Alexis Hagadorn, head of conservation at Columbia, used a technique called micro-Raman spectroscopy to determine the papyrus fragment's age. Furthermore, Malcolm Choat from Macquarie University examined the fragment's handwriting. Combined, their findings indicate that the papyrus and the ink on it are ancient and not a modern forgery.

The discovery of the fragment is shrouded in mystery. The real author is not known, and the person who gave it to King in December 2011 wished to remain anonymous.

Since the fragment was unearthed, several scientists expressed their view that it is a forgery. Vatican's newspaper L'Osservatore Romano called it "fake" in September 2012, claiming "substantial reasons would lead one to conclude that the papyrus is indeed a clumsy forgery." Craig Evans, a New Testament professor at Acadia Divinity College in Nova Scotia, wrote a blog post that the papyrus itself is likely "quite old," but the "oddly written letters are probably modern."

The age of the fragment does not prove that Jesus was married, King said. "This gospel fragment provides a reason to reconsider what we thought we knew by asking what the role claims of Jesus's marital status played historically in early Christian controversies over marriage, celibacy and family."

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