Arizona Relics Were Planted, American Archaeologist Asserts

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Mr. Neil M. Judd, Assistant Curator of American Archaeology at the National Museum, in an interview with the Jewish Telegraphic Agency correspondent today, unhesitatingly branded the Hebrew and Latin inscribed relies unearthed near Tucson, Arizona, as “fakes.” Mr. Judd stated that he happened to be in the vicinity of Tucson a little over a year ago, when two of the relies were first unearthed accidentally by two soldiers, in company with the father of one of them, who noticed one of the pieces of metal protruding from the side of an embankment near an old lime kiln.

Upon hearing of the matter Mr. Judd proceeded to the place and dug up some additional pieces of the inscribed metal. Examination did not change his original opinion that the articles were “fakes” and had been “planted.” There is only one feature surrounding the matter, however, which Mr. Judd stated neither he nor any of the others who studied the subject have been able to account for, namely, the fact that upon examination of the formation around which the objects were found embedded. no disturbance could be found, and the absence of disturbance would lend color to the view that they had been embedded for a great length of time.

Professor Byron Cummings of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Arizona, Fucson. Arizona, is studying this and other aspects of the subject and is expected some time in the future to submit results of the investigation. About 25 pieces of the inscribed metal have been unearthed since the first find. Mr. Judd stated. He also told of having received a clipping of an article in the “California Jewish Review,” Los Angeles, written by Dr. E. C. Getsinger, described therein as “a famous archaeologist” who submitted the theory that the objects were forged and planted by Mormons. Judd stated that he did not know whether it was true in this particular instance, but he had heard of Mormons having done similar things in a number of cases. He said, however, he had not heard of Dr. Getsinger as an archaeologist.

The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Congregation Ohel Moshe Cheven Thilim. Brookiye has contributed $5,000 to the building fund of the proposed Yeshiva of America. The $5,000 contribution is for a Talmudic study room in the Yeshiva building. The Auxihary is the first organization to purchase a room in the preposed Yeshiva.