A carved pomegranate that scholars once believed to be the only relic from the temple of King Solomon turns out to be a fake.
Officials from the Israel Museum say examination of the ivory pomegranate has revealed that it is older than originally thought. Experts have determined that it dates back to the Bronze period, long before the first Jewish Temple.
The examination also revealed that a Hebrew inscription that led to the belief that the pomegranate was the head of a scepter carried by temple priests is a forgery of modern times.
The Israel Museum bought the carving from an anonymous collector for more than $500,000. Museum officials say the pomegranate was authenticated before its purchase, and before the newer testing methods that led to the re-assessment.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.