1
00:00:03,037 --> 00:00:05,304
I think everybody's
heard of the knights templar,
2
00:00:05,306 --> 00:00:06,538
But how much of it is true?
3
00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:07,940
How powerful were they?
4
00:00:10,845 --> 00:00:12,644
Well, they are
extraordinarily wealthy.
5
00:00:12,713 --> 00:00:15,047
-If you want a legend
then you want treasure.
-Sure.
6
00:00:15,049 --> 00:00:17,116
-Right. Sure.
-And that's enough
to start the stories.
7
00:00:19,687 --> 00:00:21,920
There were terrible rituals.
8
00:00:21,922 --> 00:00:25,224
[josh]
and where do we get this ide
that they held the holy grai
9
00:00:28,596 --> 00:00:30,929
This wasn't
a ragtag group of knights.
10
00:00:30,931 --> 00:00:33,599
No, these guys
were very highly organized,
very well trained.
11
00:00:33,601 --> 00:00:34,933
Okay, headed down.
12
00:00:36,604 --> 00:00:37,736
Got something different here.
13
00:00:41,942 --> 00:00:43,942
[david] there is no doubt
in my mind at all
14
00:00:43,944 --> 00:00:45,110
That there is
something hidden here,
15
00:00:45,112 --> 00:00:47,012
And I've got
the evidence to prove it.
16
00:00:47,014 --> 00:00:49,148
Okay, here we go.
Fire in the hole.
17
00:00:49,150 --> 00:00:50,949
Oh, there's a void here.
Come here. Look, look, look.
18
00:00:53,521 --> 00:00:56,355
Wait, is this a skull?
Oh, my word.
19
00:01:06,400 --> 00:01:08,934
The order
of the knights templar.
20
00:01:08,936 --> 00:01:11,303
Born out of the crusades
in the 12th century,
21
00:01:11,305 --> 00:01:12,938
It was one
of the most powerful
22
00:01:13,007 --> 00:01:16,041
And secretive organizations
on earth.
23
00:01:16,043 --> 00:01:19,044
Founded to protect pilgrims
travelling to the holy land
24
00:01:19,046 --> 00:01:24,783
The templars grew to become
europe's largest standing army
since the roman empire,
25
00:01:24,785 --> 00:01:28,787
Accumulating
unfathomable wealth.
26
00:01:28,789 --> 00:01:34,093
But suddenly in 1312,
the order was accused
of heresy and disbanded.
27
00:01:34,095 --> 00:01:37,963
Its members were arrested
and its leaders
burned at the stake.
28
00:01:39,733 --> 00:01:42,534
To this day,
myths and conspiracy theories
29
00:01:42,636 --> 00:01:45,337
Have shrouded
the templar's true history.
30
00:01:45,439 --> 00:01:50,042
So who were they really?
What happened to their
legendary treasury?
31
00:01:50,111 --> 00:01:52,044
And is there any basis
for the rumor
32
00:01:52,113 --> 00:01:54,947
That they held
the greatest relic
in christendom,
33
00:01:54,949 --> 00:01:56,315
The holy grail?
34
00:01:58,018 --> 00:02:01,520
Archaeologists,
religious zealots,
indiana jones,
35
00:02:01,522 --> 00:02:03,322
All have searched
the world over
36
00:02:03,324 --> 00:02:05,724
For proof
of the templar treasure.
37
00:02:05,726 --> 00:02:08,627
Other than indy,
all have come up empty.
38
00:02:08,629 --> 00:02:10,429
But they may be
about to change.
39
00:02:11,432 --> 00:02:13,398
In a crumbling
manor house in England,
40
00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:18,237
A newly discovered
underground passage
may lead to templar riches.
41
00:02:18,305 --> 00:02:21,507
And in poland,
an archaeologist
is investigating
42
00:02:21,509 --> 00:02:24,343
A sealed tower
in a templar church
43
00:02:24,411 --> 00:02:29,715
That may unlock the secrets
of the order's meteoric ris
and dramatic fall.
44
00:02:30,718 --> 00:02:32,551
So choose wisely,
45
00:02:32,653 --> 00:02:37,222
And join me
on a hunt for the truth
behind the knights templar.
46
00:02:41,929 --> 00:02:43,495
[josh] my name
is josh gates...
47
00:02:43,497 --> 00:02:45,130
-Hello.
-[crowd cheering]
48
00:02:45,132 --> 00:02:47,733
[josh] explorer, adventurer.
49
00:02:47,801 --> 00:02:48,700
Amazing.
50
00:02:48,702 --> 00:02:49,701
Help.
51
00:02:49,703 --> 00:02:51,136
[josh] and a guy who ends u
52
00:02:51,238 --> 00:02:52,738
In some
very strange situations.
53
00:02:52,839 --> 00:02:54,940
Oh, [bleep].
[sighs in relief]
that was exciting.
54
00:02:54,942 --> 00:02:56,808
[josh]
with a degree in archaeolog
55
00:02:56,810 --> 00:02:58,410
And a passion
for the unexplained...
56
00:02:58,412 --> 00:02:59,578
[shouting] yeah.
57
00:02:59,580 --> 00:03:01,146
[josh] I travel
to the ends of the earth,
58
00:03:01,248 --> 00:03:04,016
Investigating
the greatest legends
in history.
59
00:03:04,018 --> 00:03:05,717
Okay, let's punch it.
60
00:03:05,719 --> 00:03:08,220
[josh]
this is expedition unknown.
61
00:03:13,227 --> 00:03:17,930
My hunt for
templar truth and treasure
starts in jolly old England
62
00:03:17,932 --> 00:03:20,199
As much as I'd like
to see the sights
here in london
63
00:03:20,201 --> 00:03:22,234
And eat my weight
in fish and chips,
64
00:03:22,336 --> 00:03:25,637
I'm on a quest
to find the holy grail.
65
00:03:25,706 --> 00:03:27,606
Okay,
that might be a longshot,
66
00:03:27,608 --> 00:03:31,743
But I am here to investigat
the mysterious group
rumored to have once held it
67
00:03:31,812 --> 00:03:33,345
To do that,
68
00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:35,214
I'm passing through
one of the oldest parts
of the city.
69
00:03:36,517 --> 00:03:38,417
This is temple bar gate.
70
00:03:38,419 --> 00:03:39,685
In the middle ages,
71
00:03:39,687 --> 00:03:42,721
It was the most
important entrance
to the city of london,
72
00:03:42,723 --> 00:03:45,424
Linking the
palace of westminster
to the tower of london.
73
00:03:45,426 --> 00:03:46,891
And just beyond it
74
00:03:46,893 --> 00:03:49,962
Lies the former headquarters
of the knights templar
in England.
75
00:03:51,732 --> 00:03:54,600
Down a narrow alley,
tucked away from
the modern world,
76
00:03:54,602 --> 00:03:58,237
I find a circular church
that looks a bit like
a medieval castle.
77
00:03:59,707 --> 00:04:02,040
-I'm here
to meet doctor jones.
-[whip cracks]
78
00:04:02,109 --> 00:04:05,210
No, not that one.
The reverend
robin griffith-jones.
79
00:04:05,212 --> 00:04:06,745
He doesn't carry a bullwhip
80
00:04:06,814 --> 00:04:10,015
But he did write the book
on the knights templar,
literally.
81
00:04:11,552 --> 00:04:13,051
-Reverend.
-Josh, good morning.
82
00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:14,319
Hello. How very nice
to see you here.
83
00:04:14,321 --> 00:04:15,454
-Welcome.
-Very nice to meet you.
84
00:04:15,555 --> 00:04:16,655
Welcome to the temple church.
85
00:04:16,657 --> 00:04:18,523
-[josh] I mean, breathtaking.
-Isn't it just?
86
00:04:18,525 --> 00:04:20,225
[robin] on a morning like this
isn't it gorgeous?
87
00:04:20,227 --> 00:04:22,160
-Absolutely wonderful.
-It's incredible.
88
00:04:26,400 --> 00:04:29,501
I want to make sure
I get your title correct.
It's a very specific title.
89
00:04:29,503 --> 00:04:31,103
I hope you get it right too.
[chuckles]
90
00:04:31,105 --> 00:04:32,137
You are...
91
00:04:32,139 --> 00:04:35,140
The reverend and
valiant master of the temple.
92
00:04:35,209 --> 00:04:36,842
Does that come with
a sword and a shield?
93
00:04:36,943 --> 00:04:39,344
[laughs] well,
it did 800 years ago it did.
94
00:04:39,446 --> 00:04:42,047
It now just has
a clerical collar.
You know, same difference.
95
00:04:42,149 --> 00:04:43,481
-Same difference, exactly.
-Exactly, yeah.
96
00:04:43,517 --> 00:04:46,952
So, I think everybody's heard
of the knights templar, right?
97
00:04:47,054 --> 00:04:50,455
-True.
-But I think people know them
from indiana jones,
98
00:04:50,524 --> 00:04:53,659
And the da vinci code,
and conspiracy stories.
99
00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,528
I think if you
really pressed somebody
and said, "who were they?"
100
00:04:56,530 --> 00:04:57,929
That they
wouldn't really know.
101
00:04:57,931 --> 00:04:59,364
What's the real story?
102
00:04:59,366 --> 00:05:02,701
Well, it starts in the 1099,
when the christians
take jerusalem
103
00:05:02,703 --> 00:05:05,804
For the first time
in hundreds of years.
104
00:05:05,806 --> 00:05:09,107
[josh] the center
of the christian world
had been under muslim contro
105
00:05:09,109 --> 00:05:13,111
That is until
the first crusade
recaptured the holy city.
106
00:05:13,113 --> 00:05:15,213
It becomes
a pilgrimage destination,
107
00:05:15,215 --> 00:05:19,117
But the journey from europe
is long, perilous,
and expensive.
108
00:05:19,119 --> 00:05:21,520
Ambush attacks
and robberies are common.
109
00:05:21,522 --> 00:05:24,656
And from this problem
a solution is born.
110
00:05:24,725 --> 00:05:30,429
1119, thereabouts,
a group of nine
french soldiers, knights,
111
00:05:30,431 --> 00:05:32,464
Go to the king of jerusalem
and say,
112
00:05:32,566 --> 00:05:36,101
"we would like to form
an order of monks,
113
00:05:36,103 --> 00:05:38,337
And we will also be warriors.
114
00:05:38,438 --> 00:05:41,506
We will protect pilgrims."
115
00:05:41,508 --> 00:05:43,208
So this is a kind of
funny marriage, right?
116
00:05:43,210 --> 00:05:45,310
It's a very funny
marriage indeed,
117
00:05:45,312 --> 00:05:46,678
And to be really honest,
118
00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:48,814
The first few years
nobody knew
what to make of them.
119
00:05:48,816 --> 00:05:53,652
-I mean, it's really wrong.
Monks pray, soldiers kill.
-Right.
120
00:05:53,721 --> 00:05:57,055
[josh]
but this medieval collectiv
did both jobs very well,
121
00:05:57,057 --> 00:05:58,824
Especially the killing part
122
00:05:58,826 --> 00:06:02,027
Their fighting skills
became legendary.
123
00:06:02,029 --> 00:06:04,463
And to make yet another
george lucas reference,
124
00:06:04,531 --> 00:06:06,698
The original outline
for star wars
125
00:06:06,700 --> 00:06:10,736
Called the pious
lightsaber-wielding warrior
jedi templar,
126
00:06:10,804 --> 00:06:13,538
Which was of course
later changed to jedi knight
127
00:06:15,042 --> 00:06:19,311
At their height,
the templars build
how many fortresses,
128
00:06:19,313 --> 00:06:21,046
How many churches
around europe
129
00:06:21,048 --> 00:06:23,915
-And the holy land?
-Oh, well, there are
hundreds of commandries.
130
00:06:23,917 --> 00:06:28,053
Within England itself,
there were 14 or 15
round churches like this.
131
00:06:28,055 --> 00:06:30,722
-Only four actually survived.
-Just in England?
132
00:06:30,724 --> 00:06:32,457
Just in England.
133
00:06:32,526 --> 00:06:34,926
[josh] what started
as an order of just nine me
134
00:06:34,928 --> 00:06:37,829
Grew into a largescale
global organization
135
00:06:37,831 --> 00:06:40,198
That lasted
almost two centuries.
136
00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:41,633
Round churches like this
137
00:06:41,735 --> 00:06:44,736
Were modeled after
the holy sepulchre
in jerusalem,
138
00:06:44,805 --> 00:06:47,339
Clever branding
that connected the templars
139
00:06:47,441 --> 00:06:50,108
To the final resting place
of jesus.
140
00:06:50,110 --> 00:06:54,346
And it paid off.
Protecting pilgrims
became big business.
141
00:06:54,415 --> 00:06:58,049
Because, of course,
you really keep
your pilgrims safe
142
00:06:58,051 --> 00:07:00,218
-If you keep the kingdom safe.
-Yes.
143
00:07:00,220 --> 00:07:03,555
This means they have to build
an extraordinary system
144
00:07:03,624 --> 00:07:07,659
Of endowments,
land, treasure, cash.
145
00:07:07,761 --> 00:07:11,430
[josh] wealthy pilgrims
regularly deposited funds
with the templars
146
00:07:11,432 --> 00:07:13,799
At the beginning
of their journey
to the holy land
147
00:07:13,801 --> 00:07:15,901
In exchange
for a promissory note,
148
00:07:15,903 --> 00:07:20,038
And then
collected cash as needed
at outposts along the way.
149
00:07:20,140 --> 00:07:22,741
The feudal equivalent
of traveler's checks.
150
00:07:22,843 --> 00:07:28,814
This makes them far more
than just protectors
of pilgrims in the holy land.
151
00:07:28,816 --> 00:07:33,952
They become essential
to europe's diplomatic,
and political,
152
00:07:34,054 --> 00:07:36,021
And financial life.
153
00:07:36,023 --> 00:07:39,257
[josh]
the templars became
a transnational corporation
154
00:07:39,359 --> 00:07:42,961
And tax-free donations
from kingdoms
and wealthy patrons
155
00:07:43,030 --> 00:07:47,732
Made them richer
than most nations today
on the order of billions.
156
00:07:47,801 --> 00:07:50,035
Among their holdings,
at least according the legen
157
00:07:50,103 --> 00:07:52,337
Were the treasures
of solomon's temple,
158
00:07:52,439 --> 00:07:55,707
Including
the ark of the covenant
and the holy grail.
159
00:07:55,709 --> 00:07:59,110
So, for a while
things are going great
160
00:07:59,112 --> 00:08:00,479
-For the templars.
-They are. More than.
161
00:08:00,481 --> 00:08:04,516
More than, right?
And the nerve center
of all of it, for them,
162
00:08:04,518 --> 00:08:06,151
-Is jerusalem.
-Yes.
163
00:08:06,220 --> 00:08:07,319
And then what happens there?
164
00:08:08,422 --> 00:08:10,689
Well, the real crisis point
is 1291,
165
00:08:10,691 --> 00:08:15,961
When the last foothold
of the christian presence
in the holy land is over.
166
00:08:18,165 --> 00:08:20,632
[josh] the holy land
falls back into muslim hands
167
00:08:20,734 --> 00:08:23,935
And the templars
find themselves
without a mission.
168
00:08:23,937 --> 00:08:26,738
Yet they remain very wealth
and very powerful,
169
00:08:26,773 --> 00:08:29,608
And this rubs many
the wrong way.
170
00:08:29,610 --> 00:08:33,211
Who, ultimately,
is the one who's gonna
twist the knife in them?
171
00:08:33,213 --> 00:08:35,213
Philip the fair,
king of France.
172
00:08:35,215 --> 00:08:36,815
[josh]
deeply in debt to the templa
173
00:08:36,817 --> 00:08:40,418
And unnerved
by their military might
and religious authority,
174
00:08:40,420 --> 00:08:44,756
King philip goes on the atta
the old fashioned way,
by starting rumors.
175
00:08:44,825 --> 00:08:48,159
Rumors that the secret
initiation ceremonies
of the templar
176
00:08:48,228 --> 00:08:50,228
Were steeped in heresy.
177
00:08:50,230 --> 00:08:54,933
In 1307, there were
these charges that
at the initiation ceremonies
178
00:08:55,035 --> 00:09:01,206
There were terrible rituals
denying christ,
urinating on the cross.
179
00:09:01,208 --> 00:09:02,941
I mean, the list goes on.
180
00:09:03,043 --> 00:09:05,243
Most of this
is clearly malarky,
181
00:09:05,345 --> 00:09:09,014
-But there was no way
of disproving the charges.
-Right.
182
00:09:09,016 --> 00:09:10,615
[josh] tortured
into false confessions,
183
00:09:10,617 --> 00:09:13,251
Many templar
were burned at the stake.
184
00:09:13,353 --> 00:09:16,187
The order was disbanded
and exiled.
185
00:09:16,189 --> 00:09:20,058
In one fell swoop,
the knights templar
were no more.
186
00:09:20,060 --> 00:09:22,227
But what happened
to all of their wealth?
187
00:09:22,229 --> 00:09:25,564
All of this business
about templar treasure,
188
00:09:25,632 --> 00:09:28,199
And all of the hoards
of things they had,
189
00:09:28,201 --> 00:09:30,001
And relics from the holy land,
190
00:09:30,003 --> 00:09:31,903
I mean,
where do we get this idea
191
00:09:31,905 --> 00:09:34,039
That these things
are still out there?
192
00:09:34,041 --> 00:09:36,041
-They were genuinely wealthy,
-right.
193
00:09:36,043 --> 00:09:37,075
But there is one story that,
194
00:09:37,077 --> 00:09:39,110
On the night
before the arrest,
195
00:09:39,112 --> 00:09:42,314
12 knights templar
were seen leaving paris
with some treasure.
196
00:09:42,316 --> 00:09:45,350
-And they
got onto 18 ships and...
-Vanished.
197
00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:47,218
-Complete vanished.
-Dot, dot, dot.
198
00:09:47,220 --> 00:09:48,653
Absolutely dot, dot, dot.
199
00:09:48,722 --> 00:09:50,422
[josh] this unfinished story
200
00:09:50,424 --> 00:09:54,059
That a group
of templar knights
escaped by sea with treasure
201
00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:56,361
Has fueled
centuries of theories.
202
00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:57,996
I thank doctor jones
203
00:09:57,998 --> 00:10:01,399
And take to
the english countryside
to connect the dots.
204
00:10:01,401 --> 00:10:03,535
My trusty steed
for this journey
205
00:10:03,637 --> 00:10:06,638
Is a very british
triumph scrambler.
206
00:10:06,740 --> 00:10:10,508
And just like the templars,
this steel horse can go
wherever it wants
207
00:10:10,510 --> 00:10:13,411
Which makes me
one very happy pilgrim.
208
00:10:15,716 --> 00:10:17,315
[josh] researchers
tracing the fleet
209
00:10:17,317 --> 00:10:19,718
Of escaping templar ships
that left France
210
00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:22,854
Have focused on England
as a probable destination.
211
00:10:22,923 --> 00:10:25,123
But where exactly?
212
00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:28,326
Well, to find out
I'm motoring two hours
north of london
213
00:10:28,328 --> 00:10:31,363
To a historic town
where a hunt
for templar treasure
214
00:10:31,431 --> 00:10:32,430
Is underway.
215
00:10:36,103 --> 00:10:37,302
Woo.
216
00:10:42,109 --> 00:10:44,409
[josh] welcome
to burton upon trent.
217
00:10:44,411 --> 00:10:47,212
This was once
the beer brewing
capital of the world
218
00:10:47,214 --> 00:10:49,614
Thanks to the monks
at nearby burton abbey
219
00:10:49,616 --> 00:10:52,317
Who started brewing
in the 11th century.
220
00:10:52,319 --> 00:10:57,022
The abbey is long gone,
but the monks controlled
another property in the area
221
00:10:57,024 --> 00:10:59,557
One with direct ties
to the knights templar.
222
00:11:00,961 --> 00:11:04,429
This is sinai park house,
once a grand manor.
223
00:11:04,431 --> 00:11:07,632
Today, it's undergoing
major restoration.
224
00:11:07,734 --> 00:11:10,301
I'm here to meet
with the property's caretake
kate murphy,
225
00:11:10,303 --> 00:11:12,804
And lawyer and historian
david adkins.
226
00:11:13,507 --> 00:11:14,806
-Hi, josh.
-I'm josh. Kate?
227
00:11:14,874 --> 00:11:16,541
-Yeah, absolutely.
Hi, and good to meet you.
-Nice to meet you.
228
00:11:16,643 --> 00:11:17,475
-David?
-Nice to meet you.
229
00:11:17,477 --> 00:11:18,743
Pleasure to meet you.
230
00:11:18,745 --> 00:11:21,112
Okay, let's start
with the elephant
in the room here.
231
00:11:23,750 --> 00:11:26,718
-I can't help but notice
it needs a little work.
-[kate chuckles]
232
00:11:27,454 --> 00:11:28,720
Just a little bit
of a doer-upper
233
00:11:28,722 --> 00:11:29,754
As they would say.
234
00:11:29,856 --> 00:11:32,524
[laughing] so, david,
you're the historian here.
235
00:11:32,526 --> 00:11:33,658
Take me through some history.
236
00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:35,326
How old is this property?
237
00:11:35,328 --> 00:11:38,063
What's the timeline
of this place?
238
00:11:38,065 --> 00:11:39,431
The first house
to be built here
239
00:11:39,433 --> 00:11:42,000
Was a manor house
in around 1066,
240
00:11:42,002 --> 00:11:43,535
Just after
the norman conquest.
241
00:11:43,636 --> 00:11:46,438
And the only other property
that's comparable
is burton abbey,
242
00:11:46,539 --> 00:11:49,841
Another stone building
about two miles
in that direction.
243
00:11:49,910 --> 00:11:52,010
Right, there was a big,
powerful abbey here, yes?
244
00:11:52,012 --> 00:11:54,946
Massively powerful.
It was the most powerful abbey
in central England.
245
00:11:55,015 --> 00:11:59,517
And the templar connection
with burton and sinai
starts after 1307.
246
00:11:59,519 --> 00:12:04,222
The french king was determined
to get rid of the templars,
to break the templar power.
247
00:12:04,224 --> 00:12:05,790
So they were
driven from paris,
248
00:12:05,792 --> 00:12:09,427
And they loaded
all the treasure
that had come from jerusale
249
00:12:09,429 --> 00:12:11,963
Onto a ship
at the port of la rochelle,
250
00:12:12,065 --> 00:12:14,833
And they depart from that po
and sail away into the night
251
00:12:14,901 --> 00:12:16,501
The treasure
is never seen again.
252
00:12:16,503 --> 00:12:20,338
So how do we
get these templars
from France to burton?
253
00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:23,208
They sailed to England
because it was the nearest
country they could go to
254
00:12:23,210 --> 00:12:24,542
-Away from France.
-Right.
255
00:12:24,544 --> 00:12:27,112
Also, the monks
of burton abbey
were notoriously corrupt.
256
00:12:27,114 --> 00:12:28,913
You could buy
the monks of burton abbey
257
00:12:28,915 --> 00:12:31,816
-If you had money
and needed a favor.
-[chuckles]
258
00:12:31,818 --> 00:12:35,220
The monks of burton abbey
would be the people
you would turn to.
259
00:12:35,222 --> 00:12:36,254
How do we put them here?
260
00:12:36,356 --> 00:12:40,425
When the templars
leave paris in 1307,
261
00:12:40,427 --> 00:12:45,296
Soon after that date
the monks of burton abbey
take control of sinai house.
262
00:12:45,298 --> 00:12:47,365
There's long been
a rumor for centuries
263
00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:50,502
They have a tunnel
linking sinai house
to burton abbey
264
00:12:50,504 --> 00:12:52,137
Down there
in the trent valley.
265
00:12:52,238 --> 00:12:53,905
Has anybody investigated that?
266
00:12:54,508 --> 00:12:56,107
Yes, in the 1880s,
267
00:12:56,109 --> 00:12:59,911
A group of local
professional people,
doctors, and lawyers,
268
00:12:59,913 --> 00:13:03,815
And they get together
and investigate
what's under sinai house.
269
00:13:03,817 --> 00:13:05,450
And do they find anything?
270
00:13:05,552 --> 00:13:07,619
Yes,
they went into the cellar,
271
00:13:07,621 --> 00:13:10,655
They broke through
a tiny archway,
272
00:13:10,757 --> 00:13:14,292
And they went underground
for a quarter of a mile.
273
00:13:14,294 --> 00:13:17,162
[josh] david believes
that the tunnel was used
by the templars
274
00:13:17,230 --> 00:13:19,130
As a hiding place
for the treasure
275
00:13:19,132 --> 00:13:20,799
They smuggled out of France
276
00:13:20,801 --> 00:13:24,202
So as a historian,
could those stories be true?
277
00:13:24,204 --> 00:13:26,037
Do you think there's really
something hidden here?
278
00:13:26,039 --> 00:13:28,807
Absolutely. There is
no doubt in my mind at all
279
00:13:28,809 --> 00:13:30,208
That there is
something hidden here
280
00:13:30,210 --> 00:13:32,310
And I've got
the evidence to prove it.
281
00:13:32,312 --> 00:13:33,511
So what is that evidence?
282
00:13:33,513 --> 00:13:36,214
We have a press article here.
283
00:13:36,216 --> 00:13:39,317
[josh] it says that...
[reading]
284
00:13:46,193 --> 00:13:48,059
And then what?
They turned back
in this tunnel?
285
00:13:48,061 --> 00:13:51,095
They turned back
and it was never
investigated again.
286
00:13:51,097 --> 00:13:53,131
Is there anything
to corroborate this?
287
00:13:53,133 --> 00:13:55,033
Like, is there
any physical evidence
in the house
288
00:13:55,035 --> 00:13:56,201
That this actually happened?
289
00:13:56,203 --> 00:13:58,303
Yes, absolutely.
There are things
in sinai house
290
00:13:58,305 --> 00:14:00,205
That you absolutely
must come and see.
291
00:14:00,707 --> 00:14:02,507
-Please.
-Follow me.
292
00:14:10,917 --> 00:14:12,517
[josh chuckling] whoa.
293
00:14:12,519 --> 00:14:15,420
This is, I mean I feel like
I've just stepped into
a time machine.
294
00:14:15,422 --> 00:14:18,723
[kate] well, we are in
the 13, 1400s here,
so I guess you have.
295
00:14:18,725 --> 00:14:20,825
Okay, well, we're going down.
296
00:14:26,266 --> 00:14:29,400
Whoa. Look at this place.
297
00:14:29,402 --> 00:14:32,904
Oh, man,
look at this brickwork.
This is crazy.
298
00:14:32,906 --> 00:14:34,806
Oh, my word,
there's something there.
299
00:14:40,247 --> 00:14:42,947
Whoa. Look at this place.
300
00:14:43,016 --> 00:14:45,617
Oh, my word,
there's something there.
301
00:14:45,619 --> 00:14:48,720
[josh] I'm investigating
an historic manor house
in England,
302
00:14:48,722 --> 00:14:50,121
In search of a secret tunne
303
00:14:50,123 --> 00:14:53,124
Which could lead
to knights templar treasure
304
00:14:53,126 --> 00:14:55,593
Welcome to sinai's
medieval cellars,
305
00:14:55,595 --> 00:14:57,729
And this is the thing
that we wanted to show you
306
00:14:57,731 --> 00:15:00,465
Because, clearly,
there's something going on
with this wall.
307
00:15:01,401 --> 00:15:03,601
It looks like,
you can see this seam here,
308
00:15:03,603 --> 00:15:06,404
-It looks like
something's been bricked up.
-Yeah.
309
00:15:06,406 --> 00:15:08,806
And what is
so intriguing about it
310
00:15:08,808 --> 00:15:12,310
Is that it just fits
like lock and key
311
00:15:12,312 --> 00:15:13,945
-Yeah.
-With this newspaper story
312
00:15:14,014 --> 00:15:16,347
-And this account
of some sort of tunnel here.
-[kate] yeah.
313
00:15:16,416 --> 00:15:20,919
-[both] yeah.
-Can we look behind this wall?
Can we try to get back there?
314
00:15:20,921 --> 00:15:24,589
As long as we don't have
the building falling down
then yeah, absolutely.
315
00:15:24,591 --> 00:15:26,624
We do want to avoid
the building falling on us.
316
00:15:28,295 --> 00:15:30,328
[josh] against a wall,
yet undeterred,
317
00:15:30,330 --> 00:15:33,164
Kate and david have arrange
for mason dave shepherd
318
00:15:33,199 --> 00:15:34,933
To carefully
drill into the brick
319
00:15:34,935 --> 00:15:37,802
And hopefully get a look
at what's behind it.
320
00:15:37,804 --> 00:15:39,704
Okay, so,
what's the plan here?
321
00:15:39,706 --> 00:15:41,272
Right, first off,
322
00:15:41,274 --> 00:15:43,041
What we're gonna do
is gonna drill a hole
straight the way through,
323
00:15:43,043 --> 00:15:45,944
-To try and get a camera in.
-Snake camera.
Yeah, okay, great.
324
00:15:46,012 --> 00:15:48,112
Once we've drilled through
past the resistance,
325
00:15:48,114 --> 00:15:50,848
We'll know, get a basic idea
of how thick the wall is.
326
00:15:50,950 --> 00:15:52,317
Okay, shall we drill?
327
00:15:52,319 --> 00:15:53,952
-Yeah, let's do it.
-Come on.
328
00:15:55,255 --> 00:15:57,755
[josh] it's time
to drill, baby, drill.
329
00:15:57,824 --> 00:16:00,024
Dave starts
with a small masonry bit
330
00:16:00,026 --> 00:16:02,093
So he doesn't
crack the whole wall.
331
00:16:02,095 --> 00:16:03,528
Okay, here we go.
Fire in the hole.
332
00:16:10,070 --> 00:16:12,904
[josh] we drill cautiously
into the centuries-old morta
333
00:16:15,108 --> 00:16:16,407
Until finally...
334
00:16:16,409 --> 00:16:17,475
Oh, we're through.
335
00:16:21,414 --> 00:16:23,514
-It went through about where?
-About there.
336
00:16:23,516 --> 00:16:25,717
-So two or three
layers of bricks?
-Yeah.
337
00:16:25,719 --> 00:16:27,952
-But then no resistance?
-None at all, no.
338
00:16:27,954 --> 00:16:30,855
Okay, so there's
something back there.
339
00:16:30,957 --> 00:16:34,325
[josh] we widen
the hole just enough
to get a look inside.
340
00:16:36,730 --> 00:16:39,630
Snake cam going in.
341
00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:43,001
Okay, going through
the brick here.
342
00:16:45,038 --> 00:16:47,538
This looks like a loose rock
beyond the brick.
343
00:16:48,608 --> 00:16:49,807
[whispering] what's past that?
344
00:16:51,211 --> 00:16:52,410
[in normal voice] oh, oh.
There's a void here.
345
00:16:52,412 --> 00:16:53,711
Come here. Look, look, look.
346
00:16:54,447 --> 00:16:56,247
That's all hollow space there.
347
00:16:57,650 --> 00:16:58,950
There was something back here.
348
00:16:59,019 --> 00:17:01,219
It looks like, whatever it is,
it's collapsed in,
349
00:17:01,221 --> 00:17:06,891
So possibly it was a tunnel
or, you know, something
that's collapsed in on itself.
350
00:17:06,893 --> 00:17:09,761
I mean, this could have been
a tunnel, for sure.
351
00:17:09,829 --> 00:17:11,963
But if it was,
it's totally collapsed.
352
00:17:12,065 --> 00:17:14,032
There's no way
through this debris.
353
00:17:15,301 --> 00:17:18,403
I do a see a chalice
sitting on a table.
Is that significant?
354
00:17:18,405 --> 00:17:21,339
-Probably not.
-Yeah, no, just ignore that.
355
00:17:22,809 --> 00:17:25,343
But I don't think
there's a way through
from this side
356
00:17:25,445 --> 00:17:27,412
Without ripping
this entire thing apart,
357
00:17:27,414 --> 00:17:29,714
Which, you know,
is gonna bring
a lot of house down
358
00:17:29,716 --> 00:17:30,881
On top of us I think.
359
00:17:30,917 --> 00:17:33,651
-Yeah, that's probably
not a good idea.
-Yeah.
360
00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:36,254
So we could try to attack it
from the surface
361
00:17:36,322 --> 00:17:39,090
-And see, you know,
if we can go above
-mmm.
362
00:17:39,092 --> 00:17:41,559
-Yes.
-To figure out
where this went.
363
00:17:41,628 --> 00:17:44,362
[josh] having discovered
what may be the remains
of a tunnel,
364
00:17:44,397 --> 00:17:48,199
We excitedly
return to the surface
to search from the top down
365
00:17:48,201 --> 00:17:50,501
Kate calls in
some reinforcements
to help
366
00:17:50,503 --> 00:17:53,638
And, as it turns out,
they're familiar faces.
367
00:17:53,739 --> 00:17:55,706
Well, josh,
there's a few folks
I'd like you to meet.
368
00:17:55,708 --> 00:17:57,308
I believe
you already know john.
369
00:17:57,310 --> 00:17:58,709
-John, good to see you again.
-Josh, good to see you.
370
00:17:58,711 --> 00:17:59,910
-Norie, pleasure.
-Hi, nice to see you.
371
00:17:59,913 --> 00:18:01,646
-From our
boudicca investigation.
-Absolutely.
372
00:18:01,747 --> 00:18:04,615
That was a very exciting day.
I think there was more coins
in one place
373
00:18:04,617 --> 00:18:05,482
Than I've ever seen.
374
00:18:05,484 --> 00:18:10,822
We have six, 12,
18, 24, 25 coins.
375
00:18:10,824 --> 00:18:12,256
[man] fantastic.
376
00:18:12,325 --> 00:18:14,425
And this is dee hillier,
archaeologist.
377
00:18:14,427 --> 00:18:15,626
-Hello.
-Dee,
378
00:18:15,628 --> 00:18:16,928
-Real pleasure to meet you.
-Pleasure to meet you too.
379
00:18:16,930 --> 00:18:19,330
And I see a trusty
ground penetrating radar here.
380
00:18:19,332 --> 00:18:20,465
[norie] yes, definitely.
381
00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:21,732
So, okay,
what's the plan for today?
382
00:18:21,801 --> 00:18:23,201
Well, it's such
a historical site,
383
00:18:23,203 --> 00:18:25,703
We want to have a look around
and see what there is.
384
00:18:25,705 --> 00:18:27,738
We're not sure
what's gonna be
under the ground,
385
00:18:27,807 --> 00:18:29,907
But it would be fascinating
to find out and see.
386
00:18:29,909 --> 00:18:31,609
Yeah, I mean
just down in the basement
387
00:18:31,611 --> 00:18:35,513
There's clearly evidence
of what, you know,
an arch or door
388
00:18:35,515 --> 00:18:36,914
That must have gone somewhere.
389
00:18:36,916 --> 00:18:38,649
So I mean,
anything could be down here
390
00:18:38,718 --> 00:18:40,218
-I suppose, right? I mean...
-Yeah, we could
have a good look
391
00:18:40,220 --> 00:18:41,852
-And we can see.
-Yeah.
392
00:18:43,857 --> 00:18:47,625
[josh] we start our gpr sca
in an open field
outside the manor,
393
00:18:47,627 --> 00:18:50,461
Following a path
from the direction
of the bricked up tunnel
394
00:18:50,563 --> 00:18:52,730
Toward what was once
burton abbey,
395
00:18:52,732 --> 00:18:56,100
While john carefully
monitors the results.
396
00:18:56,102 --> 00:18:58,302
So, this might look like
a very simple machine
397
00:18:58,304 --> 00:19:01,305
But in fact it's doing
something pretty slick.
398
00:19:01,307 --> 00:19:04,408
The machine
pulses radar signals
down into the earth
399
00:19:04,410 --> 00:19:06,511
Which reflect
back up to the machine.
400
00:19:06,513 --> 00:19:10,515
We'll mark
any disturbances with a fla
to investigate further.
401
00:19:10,517 --> 00:19:13,518
Hopefully
underneath one of them
will be a templar tunnel.
402
00:19:15,822 --> 00:19:17,889
-How am I doing, dee?
-Oh, brilliantly.
403
00:19:17,891 --> 00:19:20,224
-Just keep it
nice and straight.
-Thank you.
404
00:19:20,226 --> 00:19:22,793
-I used to mow lawns
as a kid, so...
-Really?
405
00:19:22,795 --> 00:19:25,363
-Did you make much money?
-No, and nothing's changed.
406
00:19:25,431 --> 00:19:26,664
[chuckles]
407
00:19:28,301 --> 00:19:30,902
[josh] we meticulously
run the gpr up and down
408
00:19:30,904 --> 00:19:33,337
Long stretches of the proper
near the house,
409
00:19:33,439 --> 00:19:35,740
Leaving a trail of flags
in our wake.
410
00:19:37,610 --> 00:19:39,143
-Stop.
-You got something?
411
00:19:39,245 --> 00:19:42,013
-Yes. Dee, can we
have a flag there, please?
-Yeah.
412
00:19:44,317 --> 00:19:45,716
-Press on.
-[both] okay.
413
00:19:46,319 --> 00:19:47,218
And be ready.
414
00:19:50,323 --> 00:19:52,056
-Stop.
-More?
415
00:19:52,058 --> 00:19:54,125
-Just back a touch.
-[dee] back.
416
00:19:55,261 --> 00:19:55,960
That's it.
417
00:19:59,032 --> 00:20:00,131
Stop.
418
00:20:01,201 --> 00:20:03,234
-Yeah, okay.
Flag there, please, dee.
-Yeah?
419
00:20:05,205 --> 00:20:06,103
Here we go.
420
00:20:06,105 --> 00:20:07,338
Whatever these targets are,
421
00:20:07,406 --> 00:20:09,640
-Look how evenly
spaced they are.
-[dee] yeah.
422
00:20:09,742 --> 00:20:11,309
About two meters apart.
423
00:20:11,311 --> 00:20:13,344
-[josh] so let's see
how far this goes.
-[dee] yeah, okay.
424
00:20:20,053 --> 00:20:21,519
-Stop.
-[josh] it's the same thing.
425
00:20:21,521 --> 00:20:23,120
We've got, kind of,
matching targets
426
00:20:23,122 --> 00:20:24,222
On either side
of the driveway here.
427
00:20:24,324 --> 00:20:24,956
-Yeah, you can see.
-Yeah.
428
00:20:26,459 --> 00:20:27,358
Okay, flag's in.
429
00:20:28,628 --> 00:20:30,027
Yeah, look at that.
Wow, it does.
430
00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:32,196
-It looks like
a big ditch here.
-Yeah.
431
00:20:32,198 --> 00:20:34,599
Something here
is wrapped all the way
around the house.
432
00:20:34,601 --> 00:20:38,302
[josh] so far,
the line of flags indicates
a subterranean anomaly
433
00:20:38,304 --> 00:20:40,705
In the shape
of a uniform path.
434
00:20:40,707 --> 00:20:42,240
Could it be
the collapsed tunnel
435
00:20:42,308 --> 00:20:44,508
Connecting
to sinai park house?
436
00:20:44,510 --> 00:20:46,310
There's only one way
to find out.
437
00:20:50,817 --> 00:20:52,984
We are not fooling around.
438
00:20:52,986 --> 00:20:54,952
[josh] this excavator
will get the scoop
439
00:20:54,954 --> 00:20:56,721
On what lies below
the surface.
440
00:20:59,826 --> 00:21:01,626
It may look like
a rough process,
441
00:21:01,628 --> 00:21:05,630
But the excavator
is actually delicately
scraping layers of soil
442
00:21:05,632 --> 00:21:07,431
As it digs through history.
443
00:21:12,038 --> 00:21:13,037
[josh] whoa, whoa, hang on.
444
00:21:13,139 --> 00:21:14,305
I think we've
broken through here.
445
00:21:15,408 --> 00:21:16,874
Wow.
446
00:21:16,876 --> 00:21:18,209
[josh] the anomaly in the so
447
00:21:18,211 --> 00:21:20,911
Turns out to be
a thick layer of clay.
448
00:21:20,913 --> 00:21:23,547
Is that clay layer
naturally occurring
do you think, dee?
449
00:21:23,649 --> 00:21:29,320
No, I believe it was
put there purposefully
as puddling clay.
450
00:21:29,322 --> 00:21:31,122
And what is
puddling clay exactly?
451
00:21:31,124 --> 00:21:33,291
It's to make it to waterproof,
to seal it essentially.
452
00:21:33,293 --> 00:21:36,727
-It's an absolute fact
that in the 1200s
-[dee] yes.
453
00:21:36,729 --> 00:21:38,629
There was a moat around sinai.
454
00:21:38,631 --> 00:21:40,298
-There was?
-Yes, yeah.
455
00:21:40,300 --> 00:21:42,800
And so if in fact
that's what we're
looking at here,
456
00:21:42,802 --> 00:21:46,103
This could be a moat
that dates back
to the templar times?
457
00:21:46,105 --> 00:21:48,406
-1,000 years or even older.
-Wow.
458
00:21:48,408 --> 00:21:50,041
[josh]
this isn't a templar tunnel
459
00:21:50,109 --> 00:21:52,643
But it may well be
a templar-era moat
460
00:21:52,745 --> 00:21:55,012
That would have been used
as a line of defense,
461
00:21:55,014 --> 00:21:58,716
And john is convinced
there's even more to find
below the moat.
462
00:21:58,718 --> 00:22:02,053
-Okay, so should we try
to get down under it?
-I believe so.
463
00:22:02,055 --> 00:22:03,754
The radar douser
clearly showed
464
00:22:03,856 --> 00:22:05,890
That there was rubble
at about three feet.
465
00:22:05,892 --> 00:22:07,425
All right, let's keep digging.
466
00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:15,933
[josh] after just
a few more scoops,
467
00:22:15,935 --> 00:22:19,136
We suddenly uncover
more pieces of the story.
468
00:22:19,205 --> 00:22:20,337
Hold. Yeah, hold.
469
00:22:24,544 --> 00:22:26,944
-[dee] oh, wow.
-[john] looks like
a roof tile.
470
00:22:27,046 --> 00:22:28,512
[josh] and more.
471
00:22:28,514 --> 00:22:33,517
-So what is this?
-It looks like terracotta,
roman roof tiles.
472
00:22:33,519 --> 00:22:36,120
-[josh] how old
do you think this is?
-First century ad.
473
00:22:36,122 --> 00:22:37,621
-This is roman era?
-Yeah.
474
00:22:37,623 --> 00:22:40,157
Wow. And that's
right underneath
475
00:22:40,259 --> 00:22:42,059
-This clay layer?
-[john and dee] yes.
476
00:22:42,061 --> 00:22:43,361
And there's a lot of it
it looks like.
477
00:22:43,429 --> 00:22:45,329
-Yes.
-Which means it was
a roman defensive ditch
478
00:22:45,331 --> 00:22:46,464
And then they filled it in.
479
00:22:46,565 --> 00:22:48,599
-Later adapted into a moat.
-Yes.
480
00:22:48,601 --> 00:22:50,201
It's incredible.
481
00:22:50,203 --> 00:22:53,104
[josh] what we've
potentially uncovered
is astounding.
482
00:22:53,106 --> 00:22:57,208
A defended
roman settlement here
would be an historic find,
483
00:22:57,210 --> 00:22:59,377
One that may explain
the very existence
484
00:22:59,379 --> 00:23:02,546
Of sinai park house
right here on this site,
485
00:23:02,615 --> 00:23:05,116
And it would
likely have made it
very attractive
486
00:23:05,118 --> 00:23:06,817
To the templar as well.
487
00:23:06,819 --> 00:23:08,552
So, based on the data,
488
00:23:09,622 --> 00:23:10,955
-This ditch
-[john] yeah.
489
00:23:11,023 --> 00:23:13,724
-You think extends this way?
-Yes.
490
00:23:13,726 --> 00:23:16,160
And how big
do you figure this is?
491
00:23:16,195 --> 00:23:18,963
I think it encircles
the whole of the property.
492
00:23:18,965 --> 00:23:21,699
It's incredible. I mean,
this could have been
a defensive structure
493
00:23:21,701 --> 00:23:25,503
Not only for the templars
but for early generations
as well.
494
00:23:25,505 --> 00:23:29,407
And if that's the case,
that adds to the possibility
of the templars being here
495
00:23:29,409 --> 00:23:31,108
With wanting
to defend something.
496
00:23:31,110 --> 00:23:33,043
It just adds another layer
to that story.
497
00:23:33,145 --> 00:23:34,412
Right. What are
they defending?
498
00:23:34,414 --> 00:23:36,714
So they're pretty important
and probably pretty valuable.
499
00:23:36,716 --> 00:23:38,516
Based on what we've seen here
500
00:23:38,518 --> 00:23:41,352
And based on the fact
that that door
in the cellar goes somewhere,
501
00:23:41,421 --> 00:23:44,522
I'd say there's a lot more
searching to be done here
at sinai house.
502
00:23:44,524 --> 00:23:45,956
I think that's very right.
503
00:23:45,958 --> 00:23:47,958
Well, I'll be back
in six months.
504
00:23:48,060 --> 00:23:49,126
Please have it all dug up.
505
00:23:49,128 --> 00:23:51,829
[all laughing]
506
00:23:51,831 --> 00:23:54,665
[josh] while there's no sig
of templar treasure
at sinai house,
507
00:23:54,733 --> 00:23:57,935
Our discoveries have
turned out to be even older
508
00:23:58,004 --> 00:23:59,804
And no less significant.
509
00:23:59,806 --> 00:24:03,140
David and kate are determine
to keep investigating
the grounds,
510
00:24:03,209 --> 00:24:06,510
Which I have no doubt
will yield many more
remarkable finds
511
00:24:06,512 --> 00:24:08,045
In the years to come
512
00:24:09,248 --> 00:24:13,250
As the sun sets,
one templar mystery
sparks another.
513
00:24:13,319 --> 00:24:15,953
We know the templars power
stretched from the holy lan
514
00:24:16,022 --> 00:24:17,955
All the way to here
in England
515
00:24:18,024 --> 00:24:20,791
In churches and properties
like sinai house.
516
00:24:20,793 --> 00:24:26,063
The question is, how did
they maintain influence
over such a huge territory?
517
00:24:26,065 --> 00:24:29,700
Equating themselves
with the protective power
of god was a good start.
518
00:24:30,903 --> 00:24:32,503
But they would have needed
to back that up
519
00:24:32,505 --> 00:24:34,205
With some muscle
on the ground.
520
00:24:37,109 --> 00:24:40,845
To find out how, I make my w
to the london suburb
of woking
521
00:24:40,946 --> 00:24:43,113
To enroll
in a little knight school.
522
00:24:44,317 --> 00:24:45,216
[swords clashing]
523
00:24:48,955 --> 00:24:49,920
Oh, boy.
524
00:24:54,494 --> 00:24:55,693
[swords clashing]
525
00:24:55,695 --> 00:24:57,294
[josh] to learn
how the knights templar
526
00:24:57,296 --> 00:25:00,331
Were able to control
the roads of europe
for hundreds of years,
527
00:25:00,333 --> 00:25:04,301
I've come
to the schola gladiatoria
historical fencing club.
528
00:25:04,303 --> 00:25:07,104
Currently hurting each othe
are founder matt easton
529
00:25:07,106 --> 00:25:10,608
And his appropriately-named
colleague jack butcher
530
00:25:13,312 --> 00:25:14,845
[josh applauding]
531
00:25:14,947 --> 00:25:15,813
Hello.
532
00:25:15,815 --> 00:25:17,414
I'm hoping one of you is matt.
533
00:25:17,416 --> 00:25:18,481
-I'm matt.
-Is that you?
534
00:25:18,483 --> 00:25:19,517
-Hi.
-Otherwise I've
just interrupted
535
00:25:19,519 --> 00:25:20,951
The weirdest mugging
in history.
536
00:25:21,020 --> 00:25:22,419
-Jack.
-Jack, nice to meet you.
537
00:25:22,421 --> 00:25:24,255
-You guys are incredible.
-[matt] thank you.
538
00:25:24,323 --> 00:25:25,222
Amazing.
539
00:25:25,224 --> 00:25:28,058
So, I see swords.
I see shields.
540
00:25:28,060 --> 00:25:30,561
Are we in templar territory
here with these weapons?
541
00:25:30,630 --> 00:25:33,531
Yeah, we're reconstructing
the fighting techniques
of sword and shield
542
00:25:33,533 --> 00:25:35,399
That the templars
might have used
543
00:25:35,401 --> 00:25:38,102
According to medieval
fencing treatises.
544
00:25:38,104 --> 00:25:41,705
So, they have
this reputation of being
really fierce warriors.
545
00:25:41,707 --> 00:25:43,207
Is that well-deserved?
546
00:25:43,209 --> 00:25:45,809
I think all the sources
from the time say
that they were, yeah.
547
00:25:45,811 --> 00:25:48,946
I mean, they were pretty much
professional warriors
of their day.
548
00:25:48,948 --> 00:25:52,249
Full-time training
and, you know, dedicated
to that lifestyle.
549
00:25:52,251 --> 00:25:53,951
Their calvary charge
was famous
550
00:25:54,053 --> 00:25:57,054
And we know
from the regulations
of their order,
551
00:25:57,156 --> 00:25:58,622
Their primary weapon's
the lance.
552
00:25:58,624 --> 00:26:00,558
-Right.
-So they took
the calvary element of it
553
00:26:00,626 --> 00:26:01,825
Very, very seriously.
554
00:26:01,827 --> 00:26:04,028
Right. This wasn't
a ragtag group of knights.
555
00:26:04,030 --> 00:26:08,198
No, no. These guys were
very highly organized,
very well-trained.
556
00:26:08,200 --> 00:26:10,200
[josh] because they were
wiped out so thoroughly,
557
00:26:10,202 --> 00:26:12,169
Specifics of
the templars' training
558
00:26:12,171 --> 00:26:14,405
Slipped through the cracks
of recorded history.
559
00:26:14,407 --> 00:26:17,541
However, we know they were
highly disciplined monks
560
00:26:17,610 --> 00:26:21,312
Who did little besides eat,
sleep, pray and fight
561
00:26:21,314 --> 00:26:23,614
Using the deadliest weapons
of their day.
562
00:26:25,251 --> 00:26:27,418
As for me, well, I'm tall.
563
00:26:27,420 --> 00:26:30,020
Maybe that'll be enough
to keep me alive.
564
00:26:30,022 --> 00:26:33,023
Can you give me a little
templar fighting 101 here?
565
00:26:33,025 --> 00:26:34,425
-We can do that, can't we?
-Yeah, I think so.
566
00:26:34,427 --> 00:26:35,726
We'll teach you
some basic techniques.
567
00:26:35,728 --> 00:26:37,194
Without killing me?
568
00:26:37,196 --> 00:26:38,228
-Probably.
-[josh] cool.
569
00:26:38,230 --> 00:26:40,898
-[matt] we'll try our best.
-Probably.
570
00:26:40,900 --> 00:26:43,701
[josh] on the loose promise
that I probably won't die,
571
00:26:43,703 --> 00:26:46,637
I suit up for battle.
572
00:26:46,706 --> 00:26:51,208
The templars invested heavil
in the best armor and weapon
money could buy.
573
00:26:51,210 --> 00:26:55,946
Knowing that, I can't help
but feel a little underwhelm
in this getup.
574
00:26:56,015 --> 00:26:57,414
So, josh, how do you feel?
575
00:26:57,416 --> 00:26:59,650
I feel like I'm wearing
a lot less armor
than this guy.
576
00:26:59,752 --> 00:27:01,919
-You've got enough of this.
-[josh] what do
you mean enough?
577
00:27:01,921 --> 00:27:03,554
How about a full armor?
578
00:27:03,623 --> 00:27:04,622
Here's a stick.
579
00:27:04,624 --> 00:27:05,956
I don't even get
a sword?
580
00:27:05,958 --> 00:27:07,825
[matt] no, you get a stick
to start off with.
581
00:27:08,628 --> 00:27:09,960
Okay.
582
00:27:10,029 --> 00:27:12,496
I start by learning to craw
before I can run,
583
00:27:12,498 --> 00:27:14,164
Or in this case walk,
584
00:27:14,166 --> 00:27:17,601
Through some
very basic fighting steps
under the tutelage of matt.
585
00:27:18,304 --> 00:27:20,004
Now, where to hold the weapon.
586
00:27:20,006 --> 00:27:21,572
So, you've got
a few different options.
587
00:27:21,574 --> 00:27:24,742
A really, really simple one is
just hold this up here
ready to hit.
588
00:27:24,843 --> 00:27:26,643
-Okay.
-That's a good position.
589
00:27:26,645 --> 00:27:30,047
Another variation of this is
the hand in the same position
but with the point forward.
590
00:27:30,149 --> 00:27:31,115
Okay.
591
00:27:31,117 --> 00:27:32,916
Good. So...
592
00:27:32,918 --> 00:27:35,019
-If jack's in the second...
-Hold on. [bleep]
just got real.
593
00:27:35,021 --> 00:27:38,055
-[matt and jack laughing]
-he took a stance
and I got real scared.
594
00:27:38,123 --> 00:27:39,523
Okay, god.
595
00:27:39,525 --> 00:27:42,192
[josh] matt offers
me a few medieval
combat techniques
596
00:27:42,194 --> 00:27:44,361
That the templars
may have used in battle.
597
00:27:44,463 --> 00:27:47,131
And with that crash course,
I'm ready to go.
598
00:27:47,833 --> 00:27:49,199
And I'm killing him.
599
00:27:49,201 --> 00:27:49,933
I hope.
600
00:27:51,904 --> 00:27:53,470
We don our helmets
601
00:27:53,472 --> 00:27:56,306
And I prepare
for my impending fight
with the black knight.
602
00:27:57,143 --> 00:27:58,742
None shall pass!
603
00:28:00,613 --> 00:28:01,712
This sucks.
604
00:28:07,920 --> 00:28:10,120
Ow! [bleep]
605
00:28:10,122 --> 00:28:13,724
-Oh, it's fine. It's only
a flesh wound. Ohh.
-[jack chuckling]
606
00:28:13,726 --> 00:28:16,927
And suddenly, I'm grateful
we're only using sticks.
607
00:28:31,343 --> 00:28:32,576
Argh!
608
00:28:32,578 --> 00:28:35,546
[jack] are you okay? That was
harder than I thought.
609
00:28:35,614 --> 00:28:38,215
-[jack] are you all right?
-[josh] right in the skull!
610
00:28:38,217 --> 00:28:41,418
[josh] that was literally m
watching myself get stabbed
in the eye.
611
00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:42,319
It was like a 3d movie.
612
00:28:42,321 --> 00:28:43,987
-[jack chuckling]
-[josh] I yield.
613
00:28:43,989 --> 00:28:45,823
-I yield.
-You did really well though.
614
00:28:45,825 --> 00:28:47,391
Very, very good.
You're a natural.
615
00:28:47,393 --> 00:28:48,726
Thank you. Yeah, right.
616
00:28:48,728 --> 00:28:50,561
-I'm naturally dead.
-[matt and jack laughing]
617
00:28:50,662 --> 00:28:51,729
Honestly, that was
really good.
618
00:28:52,331 --> 00:28:53,731
Whew!
619
00:28:53,733 --> 00:28:55,599
-Props to the knights templar.
-[matt] good.
620
00:28:55,601 --> 00:28:56,933
It ain't easy.
621
00:28:57,002 --> 00:28:58,602
-But you've learned
some real techniques there.
-Yeah.
622
00:28:58,604 --> 00:29:00,137
You've learned
some real fundamental
623
00:29:00,205 --> 00:29:02,406
-Fencing techniques.
-I learned to make
peace with god.
624
00:29:02,408 --> 00:29:04,541
-Just like
the templars actually.
-[matt and jack laughing]
625
00:29:04,610 --> 00:29:05,542
Thanks very much.
That was great.
626
00:29:05,611 --> 00:29:06,710
[matt] that was brilliant.
Well done.
627
00:29:06,712 --> 00:29:07,644
Okay, I'm gonna run away.
628
00:29:07,746 --> 00:29:08,946
[matt and jack laughing]
629
00:29:10,516 --> 00:29:12,116
[josh] I leave
templar battle school
630
00:29:12,118 --> 00:29:14,651
Even more impressed
with their accomplishments.
631
00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:16,920
But considering the templars
fighting prowess,
632
00:29:16,922 --> 00:29:19,556
It's incredible how quickly
they were decimated
633
00:29:19,625 --> 00:29:23,761
And I'm anxious to learn
more about the mysteries
of their final days.
634
00:29:23,829 --> 00:29:26,530
Fortunately, I get word
of an archaeological site
635
00:29:26,532 --> 00:29:30,934
Making some
remarkable discoveries
that could provide answers.
636
00:29:31,003 --> 00:29:34,404
So I pack my bags
for a plane ride east
to poland.
637
00:29:43,516 --> 00:29:45,048
Welcome to western poland.
638
00:29:45,050 --> 00:29:47,251
We are just over the border
from germany,
639
00:29:47,352 --> 00:29:50,053
And this is probably
not a place that you associate
640
00:29:50,155 --> 00:29:51,722
With the knights templar.
At least I didn't.
641
00:29:53,325 --> 00:29:55,359
Poland wasn't historically
on the main route
642
00:29:55,427 --> 00:29:57,594
From western europe
to the holy land.
643
00:29:57,596 --> 00:30:00,030
So what were
the templars doing here?
644
00:30:00,032 --> 00:30:03,834
The archaeological dig
at a nearby church could off
some clues.
645
00:30:05,304 --> 00:30:07,704
I'm not exactly sure
what a templar church
646
00:30:07,706 --> 00:30:09,406
In the polish countryside
looks like,
647
00:30:09,408 --> 00:30:13,310
But hopefully we can find it.
648
00:30:14,814 --> 00:30:16,146
Oh, my word.
649
00:30:17,850 --> 00:30:19,616
I think we found it.
650
00:30:20,653 --> 00:30:25,422
Towering above
the polish countryside is
an imposing redbrick chapel
651
00:30:25,424 --> 00:30:27,558
Like the temple church
I saw in England,
652
00:30:27,659 --> 00:30:30,060
It looks more like
a fortified castle.
653
00:30:31,030 --> 00:30:32,830
In front
of the enigmatic structure,
654
00:30:32,832 --> 00:30:37,734
I'm greeted by archaeologist
and templar historian,
dr. Przemyslaw kolosowski,
655
00:30:37,836 --> 00:30:40,204
And his translator,
karl lindholm.
656
00:30:40,206 --> 00:30:41,605
This is incredible.
657
00:30:41,607 --> 00:30:44,942
[translator] it is.
The first time I came here,
658
00:30:44,944 --> 00:30:46,743
I was totally amazed.
659
00:30:46,779 --> 00:30:49,713
It's a templar church
in the middle of nowhere.
660
00:30:49,715 --> 00:30:53,550
Right. I mean,
you have this countryside
and then this huge structure.
661
00:30:53,619 --> 00:30:54,718
When was this built?
662
00:30:54,720 --> 00:30:57,454
[speaking polish]
663
00:30:57,556 --> 00:30:59,723
[translator] it was built
in the late 1200s,
664
00:30:59,725 --> 00:31:02,693
Shortly before
the total destruction
of the templar knights.
665
00:31:02,695 --> 00:31:05,963
The design of the church is
really surprising.
666
00:31:06,031 --> 00:31:09,433
It's a church, but it also
kind of looks like
a fortress, right?
667
00:31:09,501 --> 00:31:12,603
We have these big towers.
Those look like arrow slits.
668
00:31:12,605 --> 00:31:14,838
Why is it designed this way?
669
00:31:14,907 --> 00:31:17,307
[translator] the church
was known as a commandery,
670
00:31:17,309 --> 00:31:19,376
And it served as both
a place of worship
671
00:31:19,378 --> 00:31:21,712
And a defensive outpost
for the templar.
672
00:31:21,714 --> 00:31:24,615
It was a sign of the templar
power to all who saw it.
673
00:31:27,119 --> 00:31:29,052
[josh] a commandery is
the name given specifically
674
00:31:29,054 --> 00:31:31,321
To outposts
of the knights templar.
675
00:31:31,323 --> 00:31:33,457
They would be led
by a single commander
676
00:31:33,525 --> 00:31:37,361
And would be used as churches,
forts, even as treasuries.
677
00:31:37,462 --> 00:31:39,129
According to dr. Kolosowski
678
00:31:39,131 --> 00:31:41,164
This particular church was
the headquarters
679
00:31:41,233 --> 00:31:43,233
Of the eastern
european templar
680
00:31:43,335 --> 00:31:46,403
And a very important site
during their last years.
681
00:31:46,405 --> 00:31:48,038
So a very important place
for them.
682
00:31:48,140 --> 00:31:49,573
Why is it here?
683
00:31:49,575 --> 00:31:52,409
Why is this huge church
in the middle
of what's now poland?
684
00:31:53,112 --> 00:31:54,778
[speaking polish]
685
00:31:54,780 --> 00:31:56,713
[translator] as the templar
were losing control
of the holy land
686
00:31:56,715 --> 00:31:59,416
And as they were being
persecuted in France,
687
00:31:59,418 --> 00:32:02,753
This became the eastern edg
of their territory in europe
688
00:32:04,156 --> 00:32:06,523
[josh] with pilgrimages
to jerusalem now on hold
689
00:32:06,525 --> 00:32:09,059
And king philip of France
turning on them,
690
00:32:09,061 --> 00:32:12,162
It was time for the templar
to redefine their mission.
691
00:32:12,197 --> 00:32:13,430
Commanderies like this one,
692
00:32:13,432 --> 00:32:15,299
On the fringes
of their territory,
693
00:32:15,301 --> 00:32:19,436
Would be the perfect place
to regroup and plan
for an uncertain future.
694
00:32:20,839 --> 00:32:22,606
[translator] when the templa
were disbanded,
695
00:32:22,608 --> 00:32:26,109
Most of their buildings wer
either repurposed
or torn down.
696
00:32:26,111 --> 00:32:29,179
Very, very few
templar artifacts
have been found
697
00:32:29,181 --> 00:32:32,516
And confirmed burials
of templars even fewer.
698
00:32:32,518 --> 00:32:35,752
But I think we're
on the verge of making
some huge finds here,
699
00:32:35,821 --> 00:32:37,854
Possibly even
a templar cemetery.
700
00:32:37,956 --> 00:32:39,156
I see you're hard a work here.
701
00:32:39,257 --> 00:32:41,291
How long have you been
excavating here?
702
00:32:41,293 --> 00:32:43,560
[translator] we've just begu
to excavate this section,
703
00:32:43,662 --> 00:32:46,763
But there's a mystery
in the building itself
that I'd love for you to see
704
00:32:47,266 --> 00:32:48,898
Please.
705
00:32:49,802 --> 00:32:53,036
[josh] as dr. Kolosowski's
dig team works
next to the building,
706
00:32:53,138 --> 00:32:55,639
We make our way
to the entrance
of the commandery.
707
00:32:55,708 --> 00:32:58,809
There he introduces
me to zaneta czerwinska,
708
00:32:58,811 --> 00:33:03,513
A historian who's researchin
an interesting quirk
in the church's architecture
709
00:33:03,515 --> 00:33:05,749
Okay, you have
a bit of a mystery here.
710
00:33:13,625 --> 00:33:15,459
It's just a huge empty tower.
711
00:33:17,262 --> 00:33:19,363
Have you seen
other construction like this?
712
00:33:19,932 --> 00:33:21,197
[speaking polish]
713
00:33:21,199 --> 00:33:23,533
[translator] we don't know
of any similar towers,
714
00:33:23,602 --> 00:33:26,837
And most
of the templar structures
that resemble this building
715
00:33:26,938 --> 00:33:28,138
Have just one tower.
716
00:33:28,807 --> 00:33:30,007
The plot thickens.
717
00:33:30,776 --> 00:33:32,509
It's even weirder.
718
00:33:32,511 --> 00:33:34,544
So, what do we think
they used an empty tower for?
719
00:33:35,147 --> 00:33:36,313
A place for treasure.
720
00:33:37,149 --> 00:33:38,749
A place for treasure. Okay.
721
00:33:38,817 --> 00:33:40,217
[josh] if this was
the headquarters
722
00:33:40,219 --> 00:33:42,052
For the eastern
european templar,
723
00:33:42,154 --> 00:33:43,920
It would certainly have
contained a treasury
724
00:33:43,922 --> 00:33:47,324
With both cash
and valuable documents.
725
00:33:47,326 --> 00:33:49,159
-Can we look inside, yeah?
-[zaneta] inside?
726
00:33:49,228 --> 00:33:50,060
Yeah, let's take a look.
727
00:33:50,863 --> 00:33:51,962
[zaneta] let's have a look.
728
00:33:53,232 --> 00:33:54,164
Wow.
729
00:33:56,502 --> 00:33:57,434
Unbelievable.
730
00:33:58,303 --> 00:33:59,202
Beautiful place.
731
00:34:00,205 --> 00:34:02,305
It is stunning.
732
00:34:02,307 --> 00:34:04,141
-And the mystery tower is
back here?
-[zaneta] yes.
733
00:34:04,209 --> 00:34:05,008
Can I see?
734
00:34:11,016 --> 00:34:13,817
[zaneta speaking]
735
00:34:13,819 --> 00:34:15,819
[josh] oh, my word.
736
00:34:23,362 --> 00:34:26,163
[zaneta speaking]
737
00:34:26,932 --> 00:34:28,832
[josh] oh, my word.
738
00:34:29,701 --> 00:34:31,935
A mysteriously
inaccessible tower
739
00:34:31,937 --> 00:34:33,937
In a commandery
of the knights templar
740
00:34:34,039 --> 00:34:36,006
Has me dreaming
of templar treasure,
741
00:34:36,008 --> 00:34:38,041
Only there's no way
to get to it.
742
00:34:38,610 --> 00:34:39,709
This is crazy.
743
00:34:39,711 --> 00:34:42,412
There really is no staircase
of any kind.
744
00:34:43,148 --> 00:34:45,215
[zaneta speaking]
745
00:34:45,217 --> 00:34:48,318
-[josh] and the cable comes
from the roof?
-From the roof, yes.
746
00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:49,419
So they just dropped it down.
747
00:34:49,421 --> 00:34:50,487
[zaneta] yes.
748
00:34:50,489 --> 00:34:53,156
And so, what are
these little niches,
749
00:34:53,258 --> 00:34:55,826
-These little cutouts
in the wall?
-[zaneta speaking]
750
00:34:55,828 --> 00:34:57,661
[josh] the niches
are inexplicable.
751
00:34:57,729 --> 00:34:59,763
Zaneta says they don't
in any way match
752
00:34:59,832 --> 00:35:02,132
The construction
of the stairs
in the other tower.
753
00:35:02,234 --> 00:35:03,833
And to get
a closer look at them
754
00:35:03,835 --> 00:35:07,137
Will unfortunately be
a little bit, well,
unconventional.
755
00:35:08,006 --> 00:35:09,239
How do you get up there?
756
00:35:14,213 --> 00:35:15,479
Like from the roof?
757
00:35:15,481 --> 00:35:16,913
Yes.
758
00:35:16,915 --> 00:35:19,049
Oh, no, no, no.
759
00:35:19,051 --> 00:35:20,050
[zaneta speaking]
760
00:35:20,519 --> 00:35:21,852
No, it is zaneta.
761
00:35:21,953 --> 00:35:24,254
It's very high
and you know it. Come on.
762
00:35:26,325 --> 00:35:29,526
To get to the top,
we make our way
up the southwest tower,
763
00:35:29,528 --> 00:35:30,660
The one with stairs.
764
00:35:34,233 --> 00:35:36,533
[josh] oh, look at that.
A templar cross. Wow.
765
00:35:42,241 --> 00:35:44,407
-[josh] so this is
the original staircase.
-[zaneta speaking]
766
00:35:48,413 --> 00:35:49,813
Wow. Okay.
767
00:35:50,415 --> 00:35:52,149
All right. Well...
768
00:35:52,250 --> 00:35:54,918
You know, what are the odds
that it gives way today.
769
00:36:01,426 --> 00:36:02,492
Okay.
770
00:36:04,329 --> 00:36:05,629
[josh] now that I've reache
the top,
771
00:36:05,631 --> 00:36:07,496
It's time to go down.
772
00:36:07,498 --> 00:36:10,634
Zaneta and the team have
rigged the tower's crossbeam
with rappelling gear
773
00:36:10,702 --> 00:36:12,402
So we can descend from above
774
00:36:12,404 --> 00:36:14,337
And by we, I mean me
775
00:36:14,439 --> 00:36:16,206
Because nobody else
wants to dangle
776
00:36:16,208 --> 00:36:17,741
From templar-era timbers.
777
00:36:19,511 --> 00:36:21,711
We don't know what purpose
this tower served
778
00:36:21,713 --> 00:36:25,415
Or whether the niches could
contain historic artifacts,
779
00:36:25,417 --> 00:36:27,817
But there's only one way
to find out for sure.
780
00:36:27,819 --> 00:36:29,052
Okay, here we go.
781
00:36:30,355 --> 00:36:31,354
[exhales]
782
00:36:31,823 --> 00:36:33,023
Tight fit.
783
00:36:33,025 --> 00:36:34,224
Whew.
784
00:36:34,226 --> 00:36:35,425
Long way down.
785
00:36:36,762 --> 00:36:38,561
I have plenty
of rappelling experience,
786
00:36:38,563 --> 00:36:42,599
But somehow doing
it in a 12th century buildin
seems a bit more risky.
787
00:36:43,902 --> 00:36:44,634
Okay.
788
00:36:45,103 --> 00:36:46,402
Heading down.
789
00:36:51,944 --> 00:36:57,247
So, I'm at the first set
of niches here
right at the top.
790
00:36:57,282 --> 00:36:59,316
They look empty. Nothing here.
791
00:37:04,923 --> 00:37:06,856
Okay, I'm going down
to the next level.
792
00:37:08,427 --> 00:37:09,626
[josh] yeah.
793
00:37:10,729 --> 00:37:13,063
The niches are placed
every three to four feet
794
00:37:13,065 --> 00:37:15,298
And are
fairly regular throughout.
795
00:37:15,300 --> 00:37:17,934
They don't spiral down like
a staircase would,
796
00:37:18,003 --> 00:37:20,303
But they could have been
placed here to support beam
797
00:37:20,305 --> 00:37:22,105
That have long rotted away.
798
00:37:22,107 --> 00:37:24,407
Okay, don't look down.
Just keep working.
799
00:37:24,409 --> 00:37:25,609
Here we go.
800
00:37:27,412 --> 00:37:28,712
[exhales]
801
00:37:30,949 --> 00:37:33,550
All right. I'm
at the next opening
in the wall here.
802
00:37:35,921 --> 00:37:38,321
Some loose brick here.
803
00:37:41,627 --> 00:37:43,526
More loose brick in here.
804
00:37:43,528 --> 00:37:45,128
Nothing else.
805
00:37:45,130 --> 00:37:46,529
Okay, headed down.
806
00:37:49,701 --> 00:37:51,601
I got no carvings no nothing.
807
00:37:53,105 --> 00:37:54,304
Oh!
808
00:37:54,306 --> 00:37:56,339
A pretty weird looking bat
on the wall right here.
809
00:37:56,408 --> 00:37:58,742
Hey, buddy.
Sorry to bother you.
810
00:37:58,810 --> 00:38:01,211
All right. I'm at the next
in the wall here.
811
00:38:01,213 --> 00:38:03,046
Got something different here.
812
00:38:03,115 --> 00:38:05,348
One of these openings
goes way back.
813
00:38:05,450 --> 00:38:06,916
Not like the others.
814
00:38:08,720 --> 00:38:13,256
It's probably three
or four times the depth
815
00:38:13,358 --> 00:38:16,426
Of any of the other openings
in the bricks.
816
00:38:19,331 --> 00:38:21,164
[josh] I don't know.
That's a good question.
817
00:38:22,134 --> 00:38:23,500
It's filled with sand.
818
00:38:25,504 --> 00:38:27,604
There's definitely loose brick
back there.
819
00:38:28,640 --> 00:38:29,506
[josh] yeah?
820
00:38:30,709 --> 00:38:32,108
Maybe.
821
00:38:32,110 --> 00:38:35,312
I can see that behind
that mortar it goes
back further.
822
00:38:35,314 --> 00:38:37,647
But I can't get to it
from this angle.
823
00:38:37,749 --> 00:38:40,950
Because of the age
and historical importance
of this building,
824
00:38:41,019 --> 00:38:43,853
We don't want to use
any invasive methods
like drilling.
825
00:38:43,922 --> 00:38:47,824
We film and document
the recessed opening
before carrying on.
826
00:38:47,826 --> 00:38:49,059
All right. I'm headed down.
827
00:38:54,966 --> 00:38:55,832
I'm down!
828
00:38:57,836 --> 00:39:00,136
[josh sneezing]
829
00:39:01,940 --> 00:39:03,506
Is it dusty? Yeah, a little.
830
00:39:07,012 --> 00:39:08,211
It's good for you.
831
00:39:09,548 --> 00:39:11,715
Okay, I'm off belay.
832
00:39:11,717 --> 00:39:13,650
1,000-year-old dust aside,
833
00:39:13,719 --> 00:39:16,152
Our rappel has aided
the investigation
834
00:39:16,221 --> 00:39:19,956
And we've documented
a previously unseen feature
in the building.
835
00:39:20,024 --> 00:39:22,959
In the future,
zaneta and the team
will need to determine
836
00:39:23,028 --> 00:39:27,364
How they want to proceed
as they continue
to investigate the tower.
837
00:39:27,432 --> 00:39:29,632
However, no sooner have
I reached the bottom...
838
00:39:29,634 --> 00:39:32,102
[man] josh! Josh!
Come quickly!
839
00:39:32,104 --> 00:39:35,205
...Than I'm called
back outside
for some exciting news.
840
00:39:36,508 --> 00:39:37,640
[josh] what did you find?
841
00:39:37,642 --> 00:39:38,942
[translator] we have
discovered a wall
842
00:39:39,043 --> 00:39:40,810
And we think that maybe
there's a burial here.
843
00:39:40,812 --> 00:39:42,812
A burial here?
844
00:39:42,814 --> 00:39:45,315
-[josh] oh, where it's dark?
-Yes. The space over there.
845
00:39:45,317 --> 00:39:47,417
-You can see there...
-Yes, you can see... Right.
846
00:39:47,419 --> 00:39:48,784
[josh] right.
847
00:39:48,786 --> 00:39:50,754
The difference in color
in these two sections of soi
848
00:39:50,822 --> 00:39:53,056
Tells us
at some point in time,
849
00:39:53,058 --> 00:39:56,126
The darker portion
was disturbed or dug up.
850
00:39:56,128 --> 00:39:57,494
You think it's
a complete burial?
851
00:39:57,496 --> 00:39:59,963
[translator] it looks like
it's facing east-west
852
00:40:00,031 --> 00:40:02,532
Which could mean
it's a templar-period burial
853
00:40:02,634 --> 00:40:04,067
[josh] wow.
854
00:40:04,069 --> 00:40:07,036
Templars were traditionally
buried facing toward jerusal
855
00:40:07,038 --> 00:40:10,240
To witness the rapture
and christ's return.
856
00:40:10,308 --> 00:40:12,242
If this is a templar burial
857
00:40:12,310 --> 00:40:14,511
It may give us
real physical clues
858
00:40:14,513 --> 00:40:16,146
About who they really were
859
00:40:16,247 --> 00:40:19,215
And why so little
of their material culture
survives.
860
00:40:20,552 --> 00:40:22,218
As the team carefully digs,
861
00:40:22,220 --> 00:40:24,721
Another member scans the pi
with a metal detector.
862
00:40:28,827 --> 00:40:29,826
Good thing, too.
863
00:40:29,828 --> 00:40:31,961
[metal detector beeping]
864
00:40:33,131 --> 00:40:34,063
They found a coin there.
865
00:40:34,733 --> 00:40:35,932
Oh! A coin?
866
00:40:36,034 --> 00:40:37,300
Yes, there's a coin.
867
00:40:40,806 --> 00:40:42,305
Wow. [bleep]
868
00:40:43,608 --> 00:40:45,041
You have a brush or something?
869
00:40:46,044 --> 00:40:48,011
Official tool of archaeology.
870
00:40:48,013 --> 00:40:49,445
A toothbrush.
871
00:40:49,447 --> 00:40:51,314
-[josh] it's made of...
Is it silver?
-[man] it's silver, yeah.
872
00:40:51,316 --> 00:40:53,616
-Silver, but old silver, yeah?
-With patina.
873
00:40:53,618 --> 00:40:54,851
With patina, yeah.
874
00:40:54,919 --> 00:40:56,052
That's bracteate.
875
00:40:56,154 --> 00:40:57,620
-[josh] so, what is it?
-[man] bracteatic.
876
00:40:57,622 --> 00:41:00,056
-[speaking polish]
-14th-15th century.
877
00:41:01,726 --> 00:41:04,461
14th-15th century?
878
00:41:04,562 --> 00:41:07,430
-So this coin could be
700 years old?
-[man] yes, it is.
879
00:41:09,134 --> 00:41:10,500
Wow.
880
00:41:10,502 --> 00:41:11,701
And for you
to give that to me...
881
00:41:11,703 --> 00:41:13,403
That's so nice of you.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
882
00:41:15,540 --> 00:41:17,340
A coin from the templar era
883
00:41:17,342 --> 00:41:20,944
Buried in front
of a commandery like this I
a tantalizing discovery.
884
00:41:20,946 --> 00:41:24,848
The team uses the find as fu
as they excavate further dow
885
00:41:24,916 --> 00:41:27,116
And we quickly learn
that coins are
886
00:41:27,118 --> 00:41:29,219
The least of what
this place has to offer.
887
00:41:29,221 --> 00:41:30,219
What did you find?
888
00:41:30,221 --> 00:41:32,956
[man] yeah, it looks like
we have a burial.
889
00:41:32,958 --> 00:41:34,224
Oh! Oh, oh! Right here.
890
00:41:34,226 --> 00:41:35,758
Is that bone?
891
00:41:41,500 --> 00:41:44,300
[josh]
in the historic english tow
of burton upon trent,
892
00:41:44,302 --> 00:41:46,703
They've been brewing beer
since templar times,
893
00:41:46,705 --> 00:41:49,706
Making this the perfect plac
to seek out the holy grail
894
00:41:49,708 --> 00:41:51,207
Or just a local ale.
895
00:41:52,410 --> 00:41:54,344
-Another beer, please.
-Yeah, no problem.
896
00:41:59,518 --> 00:42:00,817
Choose wisely.
897
00:42:07,759 --> 00:42:08,958
He choose poorly.
898
00:42:13,465 --> 00:42:14,764
I got it.
899
00:42:14,833 --> 00:42:15,832
I've seen the movie.
900
00:42:18,503 --> 00:42:19,669
This is right, right?
901
00:42:19,671 --> 00:42:21,104
-[bartender] yeah,
that's right.
-Okay. Phew!
902
00:42:27,612 --> 00:42:29,312
It looks like
we have a burial.
903
00:42:29,314 --> 00:42:30,613
[josh] oh! Oh, oh! Right here.
904
00:42:30,615 --> 00:42:32,282
-Is that bone?
-[man] yeah, yeah, yeah.
It is a skull.
905
00:42:32,284 --> 00:42:34,517
Oh, there's a skull.
Look at that.
Can I come down?
906
00:42:34,519 --> 00:42:36,753
[translator] yes, come down
907
00:42:36,821 --> 00:42:38,487
[josh] I'm in western polan
908
00:42:38,489 --> 00:42:41,958
Investigating one
of the last strongholds
of the knights templar,
909
00:42:42,027 --> 00:42:44,727
And we may be
about to make headlines.
910
00:42:44,729 --> 00:42:47,430
-[josh] is that the skull?
-[man] yes.
911
00:42:47,432 --> 00:42:50,300
[josh] few relics
from the templars are
still in existence
912
00:42:50,302 --> 00:42:53,102
And a confirmed burial
even rarer still.
913
00:42:53,104 --> 00:42:56,706
-And so the body is laying...
Is this east-west here?
-Yes.
914
00:42:57,309 --> 00:42:59,042
So, this may be templar?
915
00:42:59,110 --> 00:43:01,344
Yes, this may be templar.
916
00:43:02,647 --> 00:43:04,047
Because the head is west,
917
00:43:04,148 --> 00:43:07,550
But the face itself is
looking east
towards the holy land.
918
00:43:07,652 --> 00:43:10,053
[speaking polish]
919
00:43:10,154 --> 00:43:13,523
This location for burials was
an especially important one,
920
00:43:13,525 --> 00:43:16,326
So it was possible that it was
somebody very important
921
00:43:16,328 --> 00:43:18,328
And this was
from the templar period here.
922
00:43:18,330 --> 00:43:20,195
[josh] okay.
923
00:43:20,197 --> 00:43:23,833
We're in the right era
and we're perched on the edg
of a huge commandery.
924
00:43:23,935 --> 00:43:25,735
Now for the question
of the hour,
925
00:43:25,804 --> 00:43:27,103
Is this a templar?
926
00:43:27,105 --> 00:43:31,207
This is really amazing.
Look at this.
927
00:43:31,209 --> 00:43:35,244
I mean, this is a really
actually well-preserved skull.
928
00:43:36,314 --> 00:43:37,814
Good teeth.
929
00:43:37,816 --> 00:43:39,215
It's hard to tell on the tops,
930
00:43:39,217 --> 00:43:41,284
But the bottom teeth are
in great shape.
931
00:43:41,286 --> 00:43:44,354
So, maybe somebody
who was eating well.
932
00:43:44,455 --> 00:43:46,823
Somebody of status maybe.
I don't know.
933
00:43:46,825 --> 00:43:49,058
The condition of teeth
in an historic burial is
934
00:43:49,127 --> 00:43:51,861
Often a good indicator
of social status
935
00:43:51,963 --> 00:43:54,764
For the simple reason
that only the wealthy got
enough nourishment
936
00:43:54,866 --> 00:43:56,132
To have healthy ones.
937
00:43:56,234 --> 00:43:58,434
We might expect a templar
at a commandery
938
00:43:58,436 --> 00:44:00,637
To have teeth like this.
939
00:44:00,738 --> 00:44:05,108
And there's one other
strong indicator this man wa
once a templar.
940
00:44:05,110 --> 00:44:06,241
[dr. Kolosowski
speaking polish]
941
00:44:06,243 --> 00:44:07,810
[translator] it appears
the arms are bent.
942
00:44:07,812 --> 00:44:10,546
Templars were always buried
with their arms crossed.
943
00:44:10,648 --> 00:44:14,350
Right. So, we se
his right arm is
crossed like this.
944
00:44:14,386 --> 00:44:15,718
[dr. Kolosowski
speaking polish]
945
00:44:15,720 --> 00:44:17,687
[translator] there appears
to be two burials actually.
946
00:44:17,689 --> 00:44:18,788
[josh] what?
947
00:44:18,790 --> 00:44:20,056
[translator] they're
on different levels.
948
00:44:20,058 --> 00:44:21,991
[josh] whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.
Look at this!
949
00:44:21,993 --> 00:44:25,962
So, we have...
We have a totally
separate burial here.
950
00:44:26,031 --> 00:44:28,698
Right? And then
this is directly
underneath this, so...
951
00:44:28,700 --> 00:44:29,632
[dr. Kolosowski
speaking polish]
952
00:44:29,734 --> 00:44:31,233
[translator]
in the middle ages,
953
00:44:31,235 --> 00:44:34,437
They didn't have
a tradition of remembering
the exact location
954
00:44:34,539 --> 00:44:36,706
Of every individual burial.
955
00:44:36,708 --> 00:44:38,808
So if there were
no monuments placed,
956
00:44:38,810 --> 00:44:41,310
They just kept burying
people one onto another.
957
00:44:41,312 --> 00:44:42,412
Right.
958
00:44:42,414 --> 00:44:44,914
I'm a pair of bodies deep
in this hole,
959
00:44:44,916 --> 00:44:47,183
And things are looking
more and more like we've fou
960
00:44:47,185 --> 00:44:49,619
An exceedingly rare
templar burial.
961
00:44:49,621 --> 00:44:53,756
But incredibly, this grave
seems to be more
than just a table for two.
962
00:44:55,827 --> 00:44:56,959
There's something here.
963
00:44:59,631 --> 00:45:01,330
Oh, is this...
964
00:45:01,332 --> 00:45:02,565
-This is bone, yeah?
-[man] yeah.
965
00:45:04,202 --> 00:45:05,601
Is that a third burial?
966
00:45:06,938 --> 00:45:08,838
-Is it? Wait, is this a skull?
-[man] yes.
967
00:45:08,940 --> 00:45:09,939
[josh laughing]
968
00:45:10,041 --> 00:45:11,407
Oh, my word.
969
00:45:12,177 --> 00:45:13,242
Another burial.
970
00:45:13,344 --> 00:45:14,310
That's three...
971
00:45:14,846 --> 00:45:16,012
In this pit.
972
00:45:17,148 --> 00:45:18,748
Oh, my word. Look at that.
973
00:45:18,850 --> 00:45:22,719
So, we have burial
upon burial upon burial here.
974
00:45:22,721 --> 00:45:26,823
This is truly incredible.
Every...
975
00:45:26,825 --> 00:45:32,395
Every pile of dirt
that you move reveals
more of this person.
976
00:45:32,397 --> 00:45:34,564
Maybe it's templar.
We don't know.
977
00:45:34,632 --> 00:45:37,100
But more of their story
is revealed
978
00:45:37,102 --> 00:45:38,501
With every handful of dirt.
979
00:45:39,437 --> 00:45:40,737
So...
980
00:45:40,872 --> 00:45:43,940
This is pretty extraordinary.
981
00:45:45,710 --> 00:45:48,111
[translator] I think, josh,
that you are likely standin
982
00:45:48,113 --> 00:45:50,313
With several templars
at this very moment.
983
00:45:52,717 --> 00:45:56,319
[josh] this is
an important discovery
and an emotional one.
984
00:45:56,321 --> 00:45:58,121
This is more
than just history.
985
00:45:58,123 --> 00:45:59,822
These are individuals.
986
00:45:59,824 --> 00:46:02,325
However, I'll admit
to being a little surprised
987
00:46:02,327 --> 00:46:04,694
Not to see evidence
of more pageantry here.
988
00:46:04,696 --> 00:46:07,163
When we imagine the templars,
989
00:46:07,265 --> 00:46:11,300
I think many people picture,
you know, knights in armor
990
00:46:11,302 --> 00:46:13,302
With shields and swords.
991
00:46:13,304 --> 00:46:15,738
That's our fantasy
of the templars.
992
00:46:15,840 --> 00:46:17,140
This is the reality, right?
993
00:46:17,208 --> 00:46:20,610
We have a burial here
that is simple. That's humble.
994
00:46:20,612 --> 00:46:22,445
[dr. Kolosowski
speaking polish]
995
00:46:22,447 --> 00:46:25,114
[translator] at heart,
the templars were monks
doing the lord's work.
996
00:46:25,116 --> 00:46:26,249
Right.
997
00:46:26,251 --> 00:46:27,350
[translator] according
to their traditions,
998
00:46:27,451 --> 00:46:29,085
This is how
we should find them.
999
00:46:29,087 --> 00:46:33,156
No swords, no shields
and no mythical treasures.
1000
00:46:33,191 --> 00:46:34,957
Well, the mythical treasures
are here.
1001
00:46:34,959 --> 00:46:38,528
I mean, they are real people
who had real lives
1002
00:46:38,530 --> 00:46:42,498
And real stories and this is
their real story right here.
1003
00:46:42,500 --> 00:46:45,802
Still, we should probably
make sure there isn't a grail
down here somewhere.
1004
00:46:45,804 --> 00:46:47,136
Feel free to keep looking.
1005
00:46:47,138 --> 00:46:49,305
[josh chuckling] yes,
a little more.
Just a little more.
1006
00:46:49,307 --> 00:46:51,407
We just... We gotta be sure.
We gotta be sure.
1007
00:46:53,144 --> 00:46:55,945
We know the knights templar
were many things.
1008
00:46:56,014 --> 00:46:59,515
Holy men, soldiers,
financiers.
1009
00:46:59,517 --> 00:47:01,484
Their wealth
and the power it brought
1010
00:47:01,486 --> 00:47:04,921
Was the fulcrum on which al
of medieval history turned.
1011
00:47:06,090 --> 00:47:09,425
Yet 800 years after they wer
violently disbanded,
1012
00:47:09,427 --> 00:47:12,628
Most of what is
left of the templars
are stories,
1013
00:47:12,630 --> 00:47:15,765
And most of those have grow
into legends.
1014
00:47:15,833 --> 00:47:18,034
Vast stockpiles of gold,
1015
00:47:18,135 --> 00:47:20,236
The fortunes
of entire nations,
1016
00:47:20,305 --> 00:47:22,238
The cup of a carpenter.
1017
00:47:22,240 --> 00:47:27,243
No one knows for certain
what treasures if any are
still out there to be found
1018
00:47:27,378 --> 00:47:29,745
But what we do know is
that their existence
1019
00:47:29,814 --> 00:47:31,514
So threatened
the powers of europe
1020
00:47:31,516 --> 00:47:35,751
That the order was reduced
to little more than
a gauzy memory.
1021
00:47:35,820 --> 00:47:37,153
But not anymore.
1022
00:47:37,255 --> 00:47:40,323
Today I met
the templar face-to-face,
1023
00:47:40,325 --> 00:47:42,758
And I think
I better understand
the principles
1024
00:47:42,860 --> 00:47:45,328
For which they lived
and, in the end, died.
1025
00:47:46,130 --> 00:47:49,065
Penitence, service and faith
1026
00:47:49,133 --> 00:47:51,400
We may call
them a secret society,
1027
00:47:51,402 --> 00:47:53,135
But there's
no conspiracy here.
1028
00:47:53,237 --> 00:47:57,607
And their story is in
and of itself a treasure.