It has been shown that people who were crucified had their handsand feet nailed to the cross rather than being tied. This of course meansnails, rather large nails, were required. In most paintings or depictions ofJesus being crucified He has one nail in each hand and his feet are set oneatop the other with a third nail driven through both feet. This is certainlypossible, but most consider it unlikely. Some believe this trio of nails is asymbolic remembrance of the Holy Trinity.

Inreality the crucified person would likely have a nail through each hand orwrist, and each foot would be separately nailed to each side of the cross. Inthis scenario there would be four nails used in a crucifixion. The evidenceseems to indicate the only times the nails were left with the body was if theycould not be removed. The only reason they would need to be removed is if theywere planning to reuse the nails. If this is the case, it is highly unlikelyanyone would have the true nails from the crucifixion of Jesus.

Whileunlikely the actual nails were saved, there is a very interesting theoryconcerning two nails that some people claim were used in the crucifixion ofJesus. These people claim two nails were found in the ossuary of the HighPriest Caiaphas. They had the nails tested and they claim there was remnants ofboth wood and blood on the nails. They go on to say this proves they were usedin a crucifixion. While it raises the possibilities, it certainly does notprovide proof.

The theory goes that Caiaphas saved at least two ofthe nails used to crucify Jesus. This theory was boosted somewhat with claimsthat a new test confirmed the nails had a coating of the same residue found inthe Caiaphas ossuary. The story might be easy to dismiss but the IAA hasconfirmed that two nails were found in the tomb. One in an ossuary and one onthe floor. They say the nails were approximately three inches long but were notmeasured. In true conspiracy form, the nails were not photographed, sketched orotherwise cataloged. In true fashion the nails were then lost. Could these havebeen the actual nails from the cross of Jesus. If the nails are found orbrought forward, what tests could be conducted that would prove they wereassociated with Jesus? There are none, but it is still a very interestingpossibility.