Why has the name Joseph of Arimathea always fascinated me? I really don’t know why, except I like the sound of it.

Now, however, I can put some bones to the body of this prominent figure in Palestine, a Jewish leader and a wealthy merchant when, over 2,000 years ago, he was trading in silver, lead and tin from Britain and gold from other countries.

His wealth promoted him to political responsibilities, he was a senator in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious authority for Palestine, and what’s more, being the Virgin Mary’s uncle he was great uncle to Jesus.

How do I suddenly know all this? Thanks to The Lost Gospel of Joseph of Arimathea, a new book by Belfastman John Warren.

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