c. 26–36 CE·New Testament·Artifact

The Pilate Stone

Scripture: Luke 3:1; Matthew 27; John 18–19

Limestone block with the Latin inscription naming Pontius Pilate · Photo: Marion Doss · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

The claim

The Gospels name Pontius Pilate as the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus.

What archaeology found

A limestone block found in 1961 at Caesarea Maritima by an Italian team led by Antonio Frova. Its Latin inscription records Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judaea, dedicating a building (a Tiberieum). The original is in the Israel Museum.

Sources

Joan E. Taylor, Pontius Pilate and the Imperial Cult in Roman Judaea, New Testament Studies 52 (2006)

Verdict history

Nov 10, 2026ConfirmedInitial verdict.