An ancient piece of papyrus that contains a mention of Jesus' wife is not a forgery, according to a scientific analysis of the controversial text, US researchers said Thursday.
The fragment is believed to have come from Egypt and contains writing in the Coptic language that says, "Jesus said to them, 'My wife ...'"
Another part reads: "She will be able to be my disciple."
Its discovery in 2012 caused a stir.
Since Christian tradition has long held that Jesus was not married, it renewed long-running debates over celibacy and the role of women in the church.
"No evidence of modern fabrication ('forgery') was found," the Harvard Divinity School said in a statement.