1 00:00:01,435 --> 00:00:05,504 Can we find evidence of the story of moses and exodus? 2 00:00:07,108 --> 00:00:09,508 [man] here, at this site, we have the tomb of moses. 3 00:00:09,510 --> 00:00:10,709 -There's a tomb here? -[man] yeah. 4 00:00:10,711 --> 00:00:11,643 -Of moses? -Yes. 5 00:00:12,813 --> 00:00:14,346 Can we see it? 6 00:00:15,716 --> 00:00:19,852 Were israelites ever driven out of egypt from inside its borders? 7 00:00:19,887 --> 00:00:20,819 It's happened. 8 00:00:20,821 --> 00:00:21,653 -It did happen? -Yes. 9 00:00:24,325 --> 00:00:25,157 [josh] all right. 10 00:00:25,226 --> 00:00:26,658 It's hammer time. 11 00:00:26,727 --> 00:00:28,027 Kids, ask your parents what that means. 12 00:00:30,131 --> 00:00:31,530 Little bit of a drop off. 13 00:00:31,532 --> 00:00:33,799 What'd you find? Oh, my word. 14 00:00:33,801 --> 00:00:34,533 Fire! 15 00:00:36,203 --> 00:00:37,336 And this is the burning bush. 16 00:00:37,405 --> 00:00:38,837 Wait, you mean the burning bush? 17 00:00:38,939 --> 00:00:39,938 This is the burning bush? 18 00:00:46,047 --> 00:00:47,112 [josh yells] 19 00:00:47,114 --> 00:00:48,614 Holy, moses, hah! 20 00:00:48,616 --> 00:00:49,948 Look at this place. 21 00:01:00,694 --> 00:01:02,528 Let my people go. 22 00:01:02,530 --> 00:01:05,531 This unapologetic demand for justice 23 00:01:05,533 --> 00:01:09,134 Echoes across the millennia from the story of moses. 24 00:01:10,938 --> 00:01:15,340 Prophet, law giver, freedom fighter, his resume is legendary. 25 00:01:15,409 --> 00:01:18,110 He delivers the israelites from slavery in egypt. 26 00:01:18,112 --> 00:01:20,446 Receives the 10 commandment from god. 27 00:01:20,514 --> 00:01:24,016 And leads his people to the promised land. 28 00:01:24,018 --> 00:01:28,320 But are the incidents in the book of exodus based on historical events? 29 00:01:28,322 --> 00:01:31,223 And, frankly, was moses a real person? 30 00:01:31,225 --> 00:01:33,358 Did he speak to god? 31 00:01:33,427 --> 00:01:35,828 Plague the pharaoh and part the red sea? 32 00:01:35,830 --> 00:01:39,264 Scholars have long debated the origins of these stories, 33 00:01:39,300 --> 00:01:42,101 And now archeology may have answers. 34 00:01:43,604 --> 00:01:45,704 In egypt, a long sealed tom 35 00:01:45,706 --> 00:01:49,408 Hides tantalizing clues about the identity of moses. 36 00:01:49,410 --> 00:01:52,211 Meanwhile, inscriptions in an ancient mine 37 00:01:52,213 --> 00:01:54,680 Might lead us to the fleeing israelites. 38 00:01:54,748 --> 00:01:56,915 And I plan to climb a remote peak, 39 00:01:56,917 --> 00:02:00,319 That the faithful believe is the true mount sinai. 40 00:02:00,321 --> 00:02:02,855 And then there's a question you may never have thought of: 41 00:02:02,923 --> 00:02:05,557 Where exactly is moses burie 42 00:02:05,593 --> 00:02:08,227 The controversy over his final resting place 43 00:02:08,229 --> 00:02:11,396 Not to mention the discover of a strange man-made structure 44 00:02:11,398 --> 00:02:12,798 In the sea of galilee, 45 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:16,401 Might change what we think we know about his story. 46 00:02:16,403 --> 00:02:19,838 So join me on a quest of biblical proportions. 47 00:02:19,907 --> 00:02:22,207 As we cross nations and deserts 48 00:02:22,209 --> 00:02:24,543 In the shadow of the prince of egypt 49 00:02:24,645 --> 00:02:28,347 To uncover the truth behind the mysteries of moses. 50 00:02:32,119 --> 00:02:33,719 My name is josh gates. 51 00:02:34,054 --> 00:02:34,753 Hello! 52 00:02:35,289 --> 00:02:36,121 Explorer... 53 00:02:37,124 --> 00:02:37,956 ...Adventurer... 54 00:02:38,025 --> 00:02:39,024 Amazing. 55 00:02:39,026 --> 00:02:40,559 Help! 56 00:02:40,561 --> 00:02:43,028 ...And a guy who ends up in some very strange situations. 57 00:02:43,030 --> 00:02:45,464 Oh! [bleep] whoo! That was exciting. 58 00:02:45,499 --> 00:02:47,099 With a degree in archeology 59 00:02:47,101 --> 00:02:48,700 And a passion for the unexplained, 60 00:02:48,702 --> 00:02:49,734 [exclaims] 61 00:02:49,736 --> 00:02:51,336 I travel to the ends of the earth, 62 00:02:51,405 --> 00:02:54,106 Investigating the greatest legends in history. 63 00:02:54,108 --> 00:02:55,807 'kay, let's punch it. 64 00:02:55,809 --> 00:02:57,943 This is expedition unkno. 65 00:03:09,356 --> 00:03:10,756 In the words of scripture, 66 00:03:10,857 --> 00:03:14,359 This is where the story of moses begins, the nile. 67 00:03:15,062 --> 00:03:17,262 It's the 13th century bce, 68 00:03:17,364 --> 00:03:20,632 Egypt is at the height of its power and prosperity 69 00:03:20,734 --> 00:03:23,202 In a period known as the new kingdom. 70 00:03:23,204 --> 00:03:27,239 Cities and monuments spread out across the nile delta. 71 00:03:27,308 --> 00:03:28,941 But according to the bible, 72 00:03:29,009 --> 00:03:33,345 All that prestige is built on the backs of hebrew slaves. 73 00:03:33,414 --> 00:03:37,249 It's a powerful story but is there any proof that it's true? 74 00:03:37,318 --> 00:03:40,552 We're sailing to one of the oldest parts of cairo to find out. 75 00:03:45,626 --> 00:03:48,060 Today, cairo is a mostly muslim city. 76 00:03:48,062 --> 00:03:51,029 But for centuries, the neighborhood of coptic cairo, 77 00:03:51,031 --> 00:03:53,398 Has been the center of christianity in egypt, 78 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,603 And a melting pot for all the abrahamic faiths. 79 00:03:57,605 --> 00:04:01,740 My search for moses begins near the oldest jewish synagogue in cairo, 80 00:04:01,842 --> 00:04:05,010 Ben ezra, founded in 1115. 81 00:04:05,012 --> 00:04:08,413 I'm here to meet my old friend, egyptologist aidan dodson. 82 00:04:09,350 --> 00:04:11,116 -Josh, great to see you. -How are you? 83 00:04:11,118 --> 00:04:12,150 Not too bad. 84 00:04:12,252 --> 00:04:13,185 Here we are again in egypt. 85 00:04:13,187 --> 00:04:14,352 Indeed. 86 00:04:14,354 --> 00:04:15,954 I have to say, all the times I've been to cairo, 87 00:04:16,023 --> 00:04:18,023 I've never been to this neighborhood. 88 00:04:18,025 --> 00:04:18,757 Where are we? 89 00:04:18,826 --> 00:04:20,259 We're in old cairo. 90 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:22,227 -Okay. -And this goes back to roman times. 91 00:04:22,229 --> 00:04:24,329 And this tower behind just here 92 00:04:24,331 --> 00:04:26,798 Is past that roman fortress. 93 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:32,137 Also here we've got the oldest church in cairo, which is this one here, 94 00:04:32,239 --> 00:04:34,706 -So called hanging church. -Beautiful. 95 00:04:34,708 --> 00:04:36,541 Also, if you just go down the road, 96 00:04:36,643 --> 00:04:40,612 We get to the oldest mosque in the whole of egypt. 97 00:04:40,614 --> 00:04:42,247 [josh] wow, this is the meeting point of faiths here. 98 00:04:42,316 --> 00:04:43,348 Very much so, yeah. 99 00:04:43,350 --> 00:04:45,517 Okay, so what does this have to do with moses? 100 00:04:45,519 --> 00:04:47,452 Well, according to tradition... 101 00:04:47,521 --> 00:04:50,222 ...It was near here that the baby moses 102 00:04:50,224 --> 00:04:52,324 Was found in a basket in the nile. 103 00:04:53,193 --> 00:04:54,926 As the story goes, 104 00:04:54,928 --> 00:05:00,032 The pharaoh decided to have all the first born hebrew babies killed, 105 00:05:00,034 --> 00:05:02,200 Because a prophecy had said that one of them 106 00:05:02,202 --> 00:05:06,004 Would lead the hebrew slaves out of bondage. 107 00:05:06,006 --> 00:05:07,639 Right, so a chosen one. 108 00:05:07,741 --> 00:05:09,308 -A chosen one. -Uh-huh. 109 00:05:09,310 --> 00:05:13,612 To save her son, moses' mother puts him in a basket, 110 00:05:13,614 --> 00:05:15,714 And puts him in the river 111 00:05:15,716 --> 00:05:18,116 And trusts him to the river's care. 112 00:05:18,118 --> 00:05:20,619 And that's really just the prologue of the moses story, 113 00:05:20,621 --> 00:05:23,955 Because he goes on to have this, you know, harrowing adventure. 114 00:05:24,057 --> 00:05:26,325 This is like the great epic of the old testament. 115 00:05:26,327 --> 00:05:28,427 We need a moses 101 package, hit it. 116 00:05:30,331 --> 00:05:31,596 [booming] the [normal] heavily abridged 117 00:05:31,598 --> 00:05:34,032 [booming] life of moses! 118 00:05:34,101 --> 00:05:35,901 Okay, so after being hidden in a basket, 119 00:05:35,903 --> 00:05:37,836 Moses is saved by the pharaoh's daughter 120 00:05:37,938 --> 00:05:39,871 And is raised as a prince of egypt, 121 00:05:39,873 --> 00:05:41,806 Which feels like a pretty solid upgrade. 122 00:05:41,808 --> 00:05:45,210 Things seemed to be going we until moses learns of his tr hebrew heritage. 123 00:05:45,212 --> 00:05:47,946 Upon seeing an egyptian beating one of his enslaved brethren, 124 00:05:47,948 --> 00:05:51,049 Moses kills the assailant and buries him in the sand. 125 00:05:51,051 --> 00:05:52,951 Note to self: Do not cross moses. 126 00:05:53,020 --> 00:05:54,720 He then goes on the lam for decades, 127 00:05:54,722 --> 00:05:57,122 And is eventually confronte by a burning bush 128 00:05:57,124 --> 00:05:59,024 That, oh, also happens to talk. 129 00:05:59,026 --> 00:06:00,625 The speaking shrub is the voice of god 130 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:03,228 And commands moses to free the israelites from bondage. 131 00:06:03,230 --> 00:06:05,931 Moses says, "no, thanks," the bush says, "uh, I'm god do it". 132 00:06:05,933 --> 00:06:07,699 Moses is like, "okay, yeah, fair point". 133 00:06:07,701 --> 00:06:09,101 Moses then goes to the phara 134 00:06:09,103 --> 00:06:11,103 And delivers the now legendary message, 135 00:06:11,105 --> 00:06:12,938 [booming] "let my people go 136 00:06:12,940 --> 00:06:15,207 [normal] with the threat of plagues as added incentive. 137 00:06:15,209 --> 00:06:16,808 Pharaoh declines, bad move. 138 00:06:16,810 --> 00:06:18,210 And god does as promised, 139 00:06:18,212 --> 00:06:20,445 Unleashing a series of 10 fierce curses 140 00:06:20,514 --> 00:06:22,614 Which do not seem at all fun for anyone. 141 00:06:22,616 --> 00:06:25,350 The last plague, killing every first born egyptian son, 142 00:06:25,452 --> 00:06:26,852 Really seals the deal. 143 00:06:26,854 --> 00:06:28,987 Moses and the newly freed people invent matzah, 144 00:06:28,989 --> 00:06:31,556 And hightail it out of egyp while the getting is good. 145 00:06:31,625 --> 00:06:33,225 Moses' brother aaron is also in tow, 146 00:06:33,227 --> 00:06:34,559 As is his sister, miriam. 147 00:06:34,661 --> 00:06:36,395 The pharaoh chases them all to the red sea 148 00:06:36,397 --> 00:06:37,796 Where moses raises his staff 149 00:06:37,798 --> 00:06:39,765 And, with a little help from the almighty upstairs, 150 00:06:39,833 --> 00:06:42,701 Parts the body of water, allowing his people to safely cross 151 00:06:42,703 --> 00:06:44,436 Before engulfing the egyptian army. 152 00:06:44,504 --> 00:06:47,506 Next, moses climbs a mountain and returns after, like, 40 days 153 00:06:47,508 --> 00:06:51,610 With 10 commandments inscribed by god himself on two stone tablets. 154 00:06:51,612 --> 00:06:53,678 Except, a little awkward, his followers are like, 155 00:06:53,747 --> 00:06:56,314 "oh, hi, uh, you were up in that mountai for a very long time 156 00:06:56,316 --> 00:06:59,251 So we started worshipping this golden cow statue while you were gone." 157 00:06:59,352 --> 00:07:01,453 Moses is furious! 158 00:07:01,522 --> 00:07:04,256 Smashes the tablets, cools off, gets more, things are fine. 159 00:07:04,291 --> 00:07:06,925 Then, in the ultimate act of not asking for directions 160 00:07:06,927 --> 00:07:10,729 Moses and the israelites wander around in the desert for 40 years, 161 00:07:10,731 --> 00:07:12,063 Before reaching the promised land, 162 00:07:12,165 --> 00:07:13,799 Otherwise known as canaan. 163 00:07:13,801 --> 00:07:15,534 Today known as israel. 164 00:07:15,635 --> 00:07:18,737 Due to some anger issues, moses himself is not allowe to enter, 165 00:07:18,839 --> 00:07:20,505 And is buried, by god, on a mountain. 166 00:07:20,507 --> 00:07:23,308 But he does get the satisfaction of, at leas seeing his people 167 00:07:23,310 --> 00:07:25,911 Enter into the promised lan which is pretty good. 168 00:07:25,913 --> 00:07:26,711 And scene. 169 00:07:27,614 --> 00:07:29,247 Everybody got all that? Okay. 170 00:07:29,349 --> 00:07:32,517 There's something very archetypal about this as a foundation myth. 171 00:07:33,554 --> 00:07:36,121 In particular, the foundation myth of a hero. 172 00:07:36,457 --> 00:07:37,155 Right. 173 00:07:37,791 --> 00:07:39,524 If the story 174 00:07:39,526 --> 00:07:41,927 Of an orphaned child who's really the chosen one sounds familiar 175 00:07:41,929 --> 00:07:45,764 That's because it's been adapted again and again in popular culture, 176 00:07:45,833 --> 00:07:46,765 From oliver twist, 177 00:07:46,833 --> 00:07:48,099 To luke skywalker, 178 00:07:48,101 --> 00:07:49,434 To harry potter. 179 00:07:49,536 --> 00:07:50,702 But in the case of moses, 180 00:07:50,704 --> 00:07:53,605 It's the origin story of a faith. 181 00:07:53,607 --> 00:07:56,942 Because this is the whole foundation of the idea 182 00:07:56,944 --> 00:07:59,411 Of there being the israelite people, 183 00:07:59,413 --> 00:08:01,213 The origin of the religion. 184 00:08:01,215 --> 00:08:07,419 Everything ultimately comes down to the whole exodus narrative. 185 00:08:07,421 --> 00:08:10,055 So now I ask you as an egyptologist... 186 00:08:10,123 --> 00:08:13,058 ...Did any of these events align with history? 187 00:08:13,060 --> 00:08:15,227 There are certainly elements of the story 188 00:08:15,229 --> 00:08:18,163 Which could be tied into archeological evidence. 189 00:08:18,231 --> 00:08:19,097 Okay. 190 00:08:19,099 --> 00:08:20,165 But also, there are big problems. 191 00:08:20,233 --> 00:08:22,801 Particularly to do with chronology. 192 00:08:22,803 --> 00:08:26,338 First, if you sort of add up the numbers of years in the bible, 193 00:08:26,406 --> 00:08:30,408 It suggests the whole thing took place around 1450 bc. 194 00:08:30,410 --> 00:08:33,445 -Uh-huh. -But there is absolutely no evidence at that point 195 00:08:33,547 --> 00:08:36,348 Of any large grouping of people leaving the country. 196 00:08:36,416 --> 00:08:39,150 -No huge exodus happening at that time. -No. 197 00:08:39,219 --> 00:08:41,419 100 years earlier, however, 198 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:44,923 There is clear evidence of this sort of thing happening. 199 00:08:44,925 --> 00:08:48,960 -Hmm. -When a large number of semites left egypt... 200 00:08:49,530 --> 00:08:52,097 ...And moved into canaan. 201 00:08:52,099 --> 00:08:54,533 So some of the events are historical... 202 00:08:54,634 --> 00:08:56,801 ...But their sequence is jumbled. 203 00:08:56,803 --> 00:08:58,469 Yeah. 204 00:08:58,471 --> 00:09:02,207 It's important to recognize that this overall narrative as we have it today, 205 00:09:02,209 --> 00:09:05,010 Was being pieced together by a group of people 206 00:09:05,012 --> 00:09:08,146 1,000 years after the events in question. 207 00:09:08,248 --> 00:09:11,016 -Right. -And they probably had in front of them 208 00:09:11,018 --> 00:09:15,320 Folk tales, little bits of, what you might call, genuine history. 209 00:09:15,322 --> 00:09:20,859 Which they were trying to produce this overarching origin story 210 00:09:20,927 --> 00:09:22,527 For the people of israel. 211 00:09:22,529 --> 00:09:25,797 So right now we have more mystery than history here. 212 00:09:25,799 --> 00:09:28,333 So how do we investigate this? 213 00:09:28,435 --> 00:09:31,603 Can we find evidence, either for or against, 214 00:09:31,605 --> 00:09:33,705 The story of moses and exodus? 215 00:09:33,707 --> 00:09:35,807 There are certainly some places where you can look. 216 00:09:35,809 --> 00:09:38,643 And in fact there's somewhere quite close to here 217 00:09:38,712 --> 00:09:41,146 Where we may find a useful clue or two. 218 00:09:41,247 --> 00:09:42,147 I like clues. 219 00:09:42,215 --> 00:09:43,381 -Let's go and have a look. -Come on. 220 00:09:44,751 --> 00:09:47,319 To begin my hunt for the history behind moses 221 00:09:47,321 --> 00:09:52,223 We pile into my truck and head about 20 miles sout from cairo to saqqara. 222 00:09:54,628 --> 00:09:57,495 Saqqara is home to egypt's oldest pyramid, 223 00:09:57,497 --> 00:10:01,299 As well as an immense necropolis, or city of the dead. 224 00:10:01,301 --> 00:10:04,603 Literally thousands of egyptian nobles were entombed here 225 00:10:04,605 --> 00:10:06,504 Near the pharaohs they serve 226 00:10:06,506 --> 00:10:09,874 Now, aidan is bringing me to visit one of them. 227 00:10:09,876 --> 00:10:12,811 -We're just coming up to it down here on the left. -Okay. 228 00:10:16,850 --> 00:10:17,749 -All right, here we are. -All right. 229 00:10:17,818 --> 00:10:19,317 -Let's do this. -Here we go. 230 00:10:23,523 --> 00:10:25,924 Okay, so, what are we here to see? 231 00:10:25,926 --> 00:10:27,225 That tomb there. 232 00:10:28,428 --> 00:10:29,160 [josh] who was buried there 233 00:10:29,262 --> 00:10:31,329 [aidan] okay, it's a vizier 234 00:10:31,331 --> 00:10:35,000 So there's the pharaoh and then below him are two viziers, 235 00:10:35,002 --> 00:10:37,702 Who are effectively the prime ministers of the two halves of egypt. 236 00:10:37,704 --> 00:10:41,206 And so what does he maybe have to do with the story of moses? 237 00:10:41,208 --> 00:10:43,942 We'll have to actually go in and have a look for me to tell you that. 238 00:10:44,011 --> 00:10:45,944 -Inside? -In there, yeah. 239 00:10:45,946 --> 00:10:49,414 [josh] like any good teacher aidan isn't going to make this easy for me. 240 00:10:49,416 --> 00:10:52,150 He figures it's better to sh than to tell. 241 00:10:52,252 --> 00:10:56,521 But I can't help but notice there's a slight impediment to getting inside. 242 00:10:56,523 --> 00:10:58,089 That there does not appear to be a door there, 243 00:10:58,091 --> 00:10:59,490 That appears to be a wall. 244 00:10:59,492 --> 00:11:02,460 Yeah, the tomb has not been entered for a very long time, 245 00:11:02,529 --> 00:11:05,797 And the authorities brick them up to stop tomb raiders getting in. 246 00:11:05,799 --> 00:11:07,098 Okay, so what's our move? 247 00:11:07,100 --> 00:11:09,234 All we need to do now is take the wall down. 248 00:11:09,335 --> 00:11:11,236 Breaking things is my specialty, aidan. 249 00:11:11,337 --> 00:11:12,237 -Great. -We got this. 250 00:11:12,305 --> 00:11:13,872 -Come on. -Let's go. 251 00:11:14,641 --> 00:11:17,942 [josh] aidan has acquired exclusive permission to open this tomb 252 00:11:17,944 --> 00:11:20,412 For the first time in decade 253 00:11:20,414 --> 00:11:22,514 To get ourselves, and you, inside, 254 00:11:22,516 --> 00:11:25,250 We're being assisted by a professional work crew 255 00:11:25,351 --> 00:11:27,118 From the egyptian antiquities authority. 256 00:11:29,122 --> 00:11:31,890 -Here we go, we got some backup here. -Absolutely, yes. 257 00:11:31,892 --> 00:11:32,690 Salaam! 258 00:11:33,827 --> 00:11:35,026 -Hello. -Nice to meet you. 259 00:11:35,028 --> 00:11:35,960 [speaking arabic] 260 00:11:36,830 --> 00:11:37,529 [speaking arabic] 261 00:11:37,531 --> 00:11:38,663 [speaking arabic] 262 00:11:41,401 --> 00:11:42,333 -[speaking arabic] -mmm. 263 00:11:42,936 --> 00:11:43,601 -Yeah? -Yeah. 264 00:11:43,603 --> 00:11:44,602 -It's okay? -Okay. 265 00:11:45,038 --> 00:11:45,937 Oh, boy. [laughs] 266 00:11:45,939 --> 00:11:47,505 -[aidan laughs] -[josh] here we go. 267 00:11:47,507 --> 00:11:49,407 Follow exactly what he's telling you. 268 00:11:49,409 --> 00:11:51,509 -Otherwise you'll bring the whole mountain down. -All right. 269 00:11:52,279 --> 00:11:53,511 It's hammer time. 270 00:11:53,513 --> 00:11:54,813 Kids, ask your parents what that means. 271 00:11:55,415 --> 00:11:56,514 Here we go. 272 00:11:58,418 --> 00:12:00,118 [josh] the entryway behind these bricks 273 00:12:00,120 --> 00:12:02,821 Dates back well over 3,500 years. 274 00:12:02,823 --> 00:12:04,222 So, you know, no pressure. 275 00:12:12,232 --> 00:12:13,832 One brick down, few hundred to go. 276 00:12:21,041 --> 00:12:22,107 [hammer clanging] 277 00:12:22,109 --> 00:12:23,508 We're getting there. 278 00:12:23,510 --> 00:12:25,810 Brick by brick, I widen the opening, 279 00:12:25,812 --> 00:12:29,080 Until we get our first whiff of the air inside. 280 00:12:29,082 --> 00:12:29,948 [whispers] okay. 281 00:12:30,049 --> 00:12:31,216 All right, we got darkness, aidan. 282 00:12:32,052 --> 00:12:33,017 Something back there. 283 00:12:33,019 --> 00:12:34,419 It doesn't smell good, I can tell you that. 284 00:12:35,455 --> 00:12:36,254 Okay, well. 285 00:12:36,857 --> 00:12:37,756 Should we go in? 286 00:12:37,758 --> 00:12:38,623 Let's go. 287 00:12:38,625 --> 00:12:39,824 We're gonna need some lights. 288 00:12:41,294 --> 00:12:43,161 Time to cross the threshold 289 00:12:43,163 --> 00:12:48,032 Out of the 21st century, and into a long-sealed tomb from the time of moses. 290 00:12:48,034 --> 00:12:51,202 One that might reveal whether he was man or myth. 291 00:12:51,838 --> 00:12:52,804 Woah. 292 00:12:52,806 --> 00:12:53,605 [laughs] 293 00:12:54,407 --> 00:12:56,841 This is awesome. 294 00:12:56,910 --> 00:12:57,942 Look at this place! 295 00:13:04,451 --> 00:13:05,717 Woah. 296 00:13:05,719 --> 00:13:07,519 Look at this, it just goes back... 297 00:13:07,521 --> 00:13:08,419 -[aidan] I know. -...And back. 298 00:13:08,421 --> 00:13:10,722 Look at the size of this chamber! 299 00:13:10,724 --> 00:13:13,691 Egyptologist aidan dodson and I have just entered 300 00:13:13,693 --> 00:13:17,595 The long sealed tomb of an egyptian vizier unlike any other. 301 00:13:17,597 --> 00:13:21,633 One that may reveal something about the story of moses. 302 00:13:21,734 --> 00:13:23,802 -Oh, and look at the roof decoration. -Yeah. 303 00:13:23,804 --> 00:13:25,637 That ceiling decoration is gorgeous, isn't it? 304 00:13:25,738 --> 00:13:27,505 [josh] wow! It's beautiful. 305 00:13:28,708 --> 00:13:31,242 The tomb is chiseled into the rock itself. 306 00:13:31,344 --> 00:13:33,912 Posts and beams from previous excavations he 307 00:13:33,914 --> 00:13:36,047 Have been installed to stabilize the ceiling. 308 00:13:37,517 --> 00:13:40,018 [aidan] but the best is behind you josh, look over there. 309 00:13:40,020 --> 00:13:40,752 [josh] wow. 310 00:13:41,321 --> 00:13:42,554 Absolutely stunning. 311 00:13:43,723 --> 00:13:45,623 While aidan knows the conten of the tomb 312 00:13:45,625 --> 00:13:48,059 From the publications of previous excavators, 313 00:13:48,161 --> 00:13:50,495 This is his first time insid 314 00:13:50,497 --> 00:13:52,564 That means we're both getting our bearings. 315 00:13:54,401 --> 00:13:57,135 -All of this is unbelievable. -Mmm-hmm. 316 00:13:57,237 --> 00:13:58,436 What're we looking for? 317 00:13:58,538 --> 00:14:00,104 We're looking for the name of the vizier. 318 00:14:00,106 --> 00:14:03,508 All right, usually these guys plaster their names all over everything 319 00:14:03,510 --> 00:14:04,609 In their tombs, don't they? 320 00:14:04,611 --> 00:14:05,977 They do. 321 00:14:05,979 --> 00:14:08,546 The trouble is this tomb is unfinished and also damaged. 322 00:14:08,615 --> 00:14:13,117 So therefore it's less easy to find undamaged names. 323 00:14:13,119 --> 00:14:15,053 [josh] the tomb owner's nam will be enclosed 324 00:14:15,055 --> 00:14:17,722 Within clusters of hieroglyp along the walls. 325 00:14:17,724 --> 00:14:19,724 So that's where we need to look. 326 00:14:19,726 --> 00:14:21,259 All right, well, should we split up 327 00:14:21,361 --> 00:14:22,861 In a creepy ancient tomb and look for it? 328 00:14:22,929 --> 00:14:23,928 Seems reasonable enough to me. 329 00:14:23,930 --> 00:14:25,129 -Yeah, what could go wrong? -[chuckles] 330 00:14:25,131 --> 00:14:26,231 All right, I'll look back here. 331 00:14:26,233 --> 00:14:27,031 You wanna start on this side? 332 00:14:27,033 --> 00:14:27,765 I will do. 333 00:14:27,801 --> 00:14:29,467 -Okay, here we go. -Right. 334 00:14:32,105 --> 00:14:35,006 [josh] aidan's insistence that we find the name of this vizier 335 00:14:35,008 --> 00:14:37,308 Would normally be a welcome challenge. 336 00:14:37,310 --> 00:14:39,577 But I soon realize this particular tomb 337 00:14:39,579 --> 00:14:41,512 Is more like an underground maze. 338 00:14:42,115 --> 00:14:42,947 Goin' down. 339 00:14:48,555 --> 00:14:49,220 Woah. 340 00:14:50,523 --> 00:14:51,155 [hushed] wow. 341 00:14:52,859 --> 00:14:54,225 This is unbelievable. 342 00:14:55,295 --> 00:14:56,261 [whispers] look at this. 343 00:15:01,701 --> 00:15:05,036 So these appear to be human remains... 344 00:15:05,138 --> 00:15:07,405 ...From the last excavation that was done here in the tomb. 345 00:15:07,407 --> 00:15:09,941 And there are thousands of bones here. 346 00:15:10,844 --> 00:15:13,111 What we don't see here are any... 347 00:15:13,113 --> 00:15:14,512 ...Decorations of any kind. 348 00:15:14,514 --> 00:15:17,148 The walls are just raw in this part of the tomb. 349 00:15:17,217 --> 00:15:18,316 No paintings. 350 00:15:18,318 --> 00:15:19,150 No inscriptions. 351 00:15:19,219 --> 00:15:19,851 Nothing. 352 00:15:23,623 --> 00:15:24,255 And here... 353 00:15:25,058 --> 00:15:26,457 ...It looks like we have... 354 00:15:27,127 --> 00:15:28,660 ...The actual burial shaft. 355 00:15:29,562 --> 00:15:30,528 [exclaims] 356 00:15:30,530 --> 00:15:32,630 Which just goes straight down. 357 00:15:33,500 --> 00:15:34,799 Our vizier... 358 00:15:34,801 --> 00:15:36,234 ...Woulda been buried down there. 359 00:15:37,203 --> 00:15:37,902 [exhales] 360 00:15:44,377 --> 00:15:45,410 [yells] aidan! 361 00:15:45,412 --> 00:15:48,046 I'm gonna go down the scary shaft of death. 362 00:15:50,050 --> 00:15:50,715 I'll be back. 363 00:15:58,625 --> 00:15:59,724 [breathless] okay. 364 00:15:59,726 --> 00:16:01,759 I'm down to the next level, which is... 365 00:16:01,861 --> 00:16:03,127 ...A tiny wooden platform. 366 00:16:03,863 --> 00:16:05,063 And then it keeps going. 367 00:16:08,034 --> 00:16:09,100 Oh, man. 368 00:16:09,102 --> 00:16:11,102 I literally cannot see the bottom from here. 369 00:16:16,042 --> 00:16:17,108 So, here we go. 370 00:16:20,847 --> 00:16:21,979 [pants] 371 00:16:25,318 --> 00:16:27,251 This is the great length I've ever gone 372 00:16:27,353 --> 00:16:29,320 To find out someone's name. 373 00:16:29,322 --> 00:16:31,756 Well there was this one girl in college but... Nevermind. 374 00:16:34,828 --> 00:16:35,460 [whispers] okay. 375 00:16:39,966 --> 00:16:41,299 Oh, my word. 376 00:16:42,435 --> 00:16:43,801 Wow. 377 00:16:43,803 --> 00:16:47,405 So here we are, these are the actual burial chambers, 378 00:16:47,407 --> 00:16:50,041 For not just the vizier but his whole family 379 00:16:50,043 --> 00:16:51,809 Would have been buried down here. 380 00:16:53,713 --> 00:16:55,213 What I don't see down here, 381 00:16:55,215 --> 00:16:58,282 Are any inscriptions at all. 382 00:16:58,284 --> 00:16:59,817 We'll keep looking in these side chambers 383 00:16:59,819 --> 00:17:01,519 But I don't think it's down here. 384 00:17:04,524 --> 00:17:07,959 The further I explore the pitch black chambers of this tomb, 385 00:17:08,061 --> 00:17:11,195 The more I start to worry I might become a permanent resident. 386 00:17:11,197 --> 00:17:13,531 Lucky for me, aidan has a sharp eye. 387 00:17:15,035 --> 00:17:15,733 [aidan yelling] josh! 388 00:17:16,736 --> 00:17:17,635 Yeah? 389 00:17:17,704 --> 00:17:19,237 I think I may have found it. 390 00:17:19,305 --> 00:17:19,937 Coming! 391 00:17:24,911 --> 00:17:25,743 Comin' up! 392 00:17:36,322 --> 00:17:37,055 Find something? 393 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:41,659 -You got it? -[aidan] yup. 394 00:17:41,728 --> 00:17:42,927 Found it. 395 00:17:42,929 --> 00:17:44,829 -[josh] where? -It's right in the corner here. 396 00:17:44,831 --> 00:17:46,264 Right in the far corner. 397 00:17:46,365 --> 00:17:48,032 The bottom is a little seated man. 398 00:17:48,134 --> 00:17:49,000 [josh] yes. 399 00:17:49,002 --> 00:17:50,001 Above it is that 400 00:17:50,069 --> 00:17:51,936 Flattened oval and little stripe next to it. 401 00:17:54,307 --> 00:17:56,107 [josh] so this is our vizier 402 00:17:56,109 --> 00:17:57,108 -[aidan] it is. -All right. 403 00:17:57,110 --> 00:17:58,309 And his name is? 404 00:17:58,311 --> 00:18:00,011 His name is aper-el. 405 00:18:00,013 --> 00:18:00,711 Aper-el. 406 00:18:01,214 --> 00:18:02,046 Okay. 407 00:18:02,148 --> 00:18:03,481 And why is that significant? 408 00:18:03,483 --> 00:18:07,118 Well, what's exciting about that is it's not an egyptian name. 409 00:18:07,120 --> 00:18:08,586 -His name is not egyptian? -Not at all. 410 00:18:08,588 --> 00:18:10,121 So what is it? 411 00:18:10,123 --> 00:18:11,889 It's a semitic name. 412 00:18:14,060 --> 00:18:17,628 [josh] semites in this case refer to the people who, according to exodus, 413 00:18:17,630 --> 00:18:21,833 Left egypt and would later be known as the hebrews or israelites. 414 00:18:21,901 --> 00:18:25,002 Moses, who is said to have been raised in the pharaoh's court, 415 00:18:25,004 --> 00:18:26,804 Was their earliest named leader. 416 00:18:26,806 --> 00:18:30,341 It is therefore remarkable that here in ancient egypt, 417 00:18:30,443 --> 00:18:35,113 At the possible time of mose we have archeological eviden of a semite 418 00:18:35,115 --> 00:18:38,716 Serving as a high-ranking member of the pharaoh's cour 419 00:18:38,718 --> 00:18:42,453 There are interesting biblical links here too. 420 00:18:42,555 --> 00:18:46,858 The "l" in the name, "aperel is how god is referred to in the torah, 421 00:18:46,959 --> 00:18:52,196 And appears in other biblical names like daniel and raphael. 422 00:18:52,198 --> 00:18:56,300 And aperel's resume is every bit as intriguing as his name. 423 00:18:56,302 --> 00:19:00,638 Among his many titles listed on the walls is, "child of the palace." 424 00:19:00,740 --> 00:19:06,110 Meaning he likely grew up alongside the pharaoh, just like moses. 425 00:19:06,112 --> 00:19:11,349 Another interesting thing is that aperel died under king akhenaten. 426 00:19:11,417 --> 00:19:14,085 -Mmm-hmm. The sun king. -Yeah. Indeed. 427 00:19:14,087 --> 00:19:17,488 Who introduced what looks like a monotheistic religion into egypt. 428 00:19:17,490 --> 00:19:21,225 Right. Akhenaten is this renegade pharaoh 429 00:19:21,227 --> 00:19:23,327 Who basically says, "all of these gods 430 00:19:23,329 --> 00:19:25,196 That we've been worshipping for a very long time, 431 00:19:25,198 --> 00:19:28,132 We're gonna chuck all them out, and we're gonna worship the sun." 432 00:19:29,736 --> 00:19:32,904 This monotheism didn't last long for the egyptians, 433 00:19:32,906 --> 00:19:35,406 But it stuck for other emerging religions. 434 00:19:37,810 --> 00:19:40,611 Some people have wondered, "could this have some kind of influence 435 00:19:40,613 --> 00:19:43,714 -On the hebrew idea of one god?" -right. 436 00:19:43,716 --> 00:19:48,119 To be clear, nobody is claiming that thi aperel is mosel himself, 437 00:19:48,121 --> 00:19:52,223 But confirmation that a high-ranking semite who grew up in the palace 438 00:19:52,225 --> 00:19:54,425 At a time when one god was worshipped, 439 00:19:54,427 --> 00:19:58,462 Makes the story of moses and egypt feel much more possible. 440 00:19:58,531 --> 00:20:01,799 Still, I have many more questions about the exodus story. 441 00:20:01,801 --> 00:20:04,101 So I thank aidan kickstarting my journey, 442 00:20:04,103 --> 00:20:06,504 And I hit the road to look for more evidence. 443 00:20:09,509 --> 00:20:12,043 Okay, so we've seen that a man like moses 444 00:20:12,045 --> 00:20:14,645 Could have come to prominence in ancient egypt. 445 00:20:14,681 --> 00:20:16,414 That part of the story is plausible, 446 00:20:16,416 --> 00:20:19,650 But what about the miracles described in exodus? 447 00:20:19,719 --> 00:20:23,054 Do they require a religious leap of faith? 448 00:20:23,089 --> 00:20:26,824 Should we dismiss them as, uh, literary license? 449 00:20:26,826 --> 00:20:33,531 Or can science explain, or help explain, how moses became a master of miracles? 450 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,100 Specifically, those plagues 451 00:20:39,105 --> 00:20:41,939 With the pharaoh still refusing to let moses' people go, 452 00:20:42,041 --> 00:20:46,310 God rains down a succession of horrific plagues on the egyptians 453 00:20:46,312 --> 00:20:48,179 To further the negotiations 454 00:20:48,181 --> 00:20:53,217 First, the nile turns to blood, followed by infestations of frogs, 455 00:20:53,219 --> 00:20:56,187 Lice, flies and the death of livestock. 456 00:20:56,189 --> 00:21:02,827 Next up, pestilence, boils, hail, locusts and three day of darkness. 457 00:21:02,829 --> 00:21:08,032 On face value, these events seem utterly supernatural, or were they? 458 00:21:08,034 --> 00:21:12,603 To find out, I make my way to an enigmatic structure on the banks of the nile. 459 00:21:16,609 --> 00:21:20,544 This chamber may look like a temple, but in fact, it's a tool. 460 00:21:20,613 --> 00:21:22,613 This is known as the nilometer, 461 00:21:22,615 --> 00:21:26,817 A massive column covered in these precisely-cut notches 462 00:21:26,819 --> 00:21:31,122 To measure the depth of the nile and predict its behavior. 463 00:21:31,124 --> 00:21:35,226 It is impossible to overstat the importance of the nile in ancient egypt. 464 00:21:35,228 --> 00:21:38,629 The river's annual flood brought agricultural life, 465 00:21:38,631 --> 00:21:41,499 But if something went wrong it also brought death. 466 00:21:43,436 --> 00:21:47,038 Too much flooding, and crops would be destroyed. 467 00:21:48,408 --> 00:21:51,442 Too little flooding, and nothing would grow. 468 00:21:51,544 --> 00:21:54,111 The nilometer allowed ancient egyptians 469 00:21:54,113 --> 00:21:57,381 To forecast harvests and better stave off famine 470 00:21:57,383 --> 00:22:00,818 Okay, so what does any of this have to do with moses? 471 00:22:00,820 --> 00:22:04,789 Well, some scientists have suggested that a disaster in the nile 472 00:22:04,791 --> 00:22:08,959 Could have actually caused some of the legendary ten plagues. 473 00:22:08,961 --> 00:22:16,334 Impossible? Well, maybe not if the nile became infested with toxic, red algae. 474 00:22:16,402 --> 00:22:20,805 Also known as "red tide," it happens when algae bloom out of control, 475 00:22:20,807 --> 00:22:23,841 Staining water so that it appears like blood. 476 00:22:23,910 --> 00:22:26,944 Red tide can also kill off some species, 477 00:22:26,946 --> 00:22:29,780 While causing population explosion of others, 478 00:22:29,782 --> 00:22:34,051 Such as frogs, lice, flies and locusts. 479 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:38,055 The insects could then sprea disease to livestock and to people, 480 00:22:38,157 --> 00:22:40,658 Manifesting as pestilence and boils. 481 00:22:41,794 --> 00:22:43,928 But what about hail and darkness? 482 00:22:43,930 --> 00:22:47,164 Well, climate scientists now theorize that a volcanic eruption 483 00:22:47,233 --> 00:22:51,202 On the greek island of santorini in 1500 bce, 484 00:22:51,204 --> 00:22:55,940 Could have spread ash all the way to egypt, blocking out the sun. 485 00:22:58,644 --> 00:23:02,513 Those darkening skies would certainly have appeare to people across egypt 486 00:23:02,515 --> 00:23:04,615 As the work of divine forces 487 00:23:05,718 --> 00:23:08,719 So, did the plagues actually happen? 488 00:23:08,721 --> 00:23:11,455 Well, it depends on what you believe. 489 00:23:11,524 --> 00:23:14,425 And whether caused by nature of the wrath of god, 490 00:23:14,427 --> 00:23:18,529 They remain a cautionary tale about angering the almighty, 491 00:23:18,531 --> 00:23:21,098 A horror story in the ethic of the bible, 492 00:23:21,100 --> 00:23:24,301 As mysterious as the life of moses himself. 493 00:23:26,406 --> 00:23:30,808 Now that I've seen proof tha a semitic person held high position in ancient egypt, 494 00:23:30,810 --> 00:23:35,346 And the possibility that the plagues could be inspire by real-world events, 495 00:23:35,415 --> 00:23:39,350 I'm starting to feel hopefu about the idea of a historic moses, 496 00:23:39,418 --> 00:23:41,318 But I want some hard facts. 497 00:23:43,723 --> 00:23:46,657 And that brings us to one character in the exodus story 498 00:23:46,759 --> 00:23:51,762 That we should be able to easily verify, moses' nemesis, the pharaoh 499 00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:54,832 So, now I set off on a new mission 500 00:23:54,901 --> 00:24:00,004 To find the egyptian king who defied both moses and his god. 501 00:24:06,612 --> 00:24:09,313 [josh] from my investigatio into the mysteries of moses 502 00:24:09,315 --> 00:24:12,516 I'm on a search to identify the pharaoh from exodus. 503 00:24:13,653 --> 00:24:16,020 The bible never mentions him by name, 504 00:24:16,022 --> 00:24:18,556 But if you've seen the ten commandments, you know who he is. 505 00:24:18,624 --> 00:24:23,194 Yep, it's yul brynner, I mean, ramesses. 506 00:24:23,196 --> 00:24:27,465 To get to know ramesses better, I'm drivin 450 miles south of cairo 507 00:24:27,533 --> 00:24:29,733 To the ancient capital of luxor. 508 00:24:35,374 --> 00:24:38,409 On the east bank of the nile, the world of the living 509 00:24:38,411 --> 00:24:41,745 And the ruined majesty of luxor and karnak, 510 00:24:41,847 --> 00:24:44,215 And on the west bank, the land of the dead, 511 00:24:44,217 --> 00:24:46,217 Home to the valley of the kings. 512 00:24:48,120 --> 00:24:49,753 And this. 513 00:24:52,091 --> 00:24:56,927 The tumbledown remnants of a mortuary temple known as the ramesseum. 514 00:24:56,929 --> 00:25:01,999 Inside the eerie ruins, I fi my old friend, egyptologist bahaa gaber. 515 00:25:02,935 --> 00:25:04,201 -Bahaa. -[bahaa gaber] josh. Hey. 516 00:25:04,203 --> 00:25:06,036 [josh] hey! How are you, my friend? 517 00:25:06,138 --> 00:25:07,905 -[gaber] fine, and you? -I'm great, thanks. 518 00:25:07,907 --> 00:25:11,442 -This is spectacular. -[gaber] yeah, this is the ramesseum temple. 519 00:25:11,511 --> 00:25:15,112 -So this is devoted to ramesses ii? -Yes. 520 00:25:15,114 --> 00:25:18,516 Okay, now, every story needs a bad guy, 521 00:25:18,518 --> 00:25:23,053 And for many years people have said that this guy, ramesses ii, 522 00:25:23,055 --> 00:25:25,122 He's the pharaoh from the old testament. 523 00:25:25,124 --> 00:25:28,192 -So, and he is a serious villain in exodus. -[gaber] mmm-hmm. Mmm-hmm. 524 00:25:28,194 --> 00:25:31,228 [josh] I mean, we're talkin darth vader level, thanos level, 525 00:25:31,230 --> 00:25:33,464 -Moustache twirling bad guy, right? -[gaber chuckles] 526 00:25:33,532 --> 00:25:37,134 So, how is he referred to here in egypt? 527 00:25:37,236 --> 00:25:40,304 -We call him ramesses the great. -Ramesses the great? 528 00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:43,707 -Yes. -Not "ramesses the evil," not "ramesses the bad guy." 529 00:25:43,709 --> 00:25:46,010 And not "ramesses the nasty." 530 00:25:46,012 --> 00:25:48,512 -No, not "ramesses the nasty." the great. -Exactly. 531 00:25:49,815 --> 00:25:52,716 [josh] despite his bad pres in biblical pop culture, 532 00:25:52,718 --> 00:25:56,687 If anyone earned the title of "great," it's ramesses ii 533 00:25:56,689 --> 00:26:01,191 He ruled egypt for 67 years well into his 90s, 534 00:26:01,193 --> 00:26:05,095 Building grand temples to his divinity all over the country. 535 00:26:05,097 --> 00:26:07,598 Here at the ramesseum are the toppled remains 536 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:10,935 Of one of the largest ancient statues ever found, 537 00:26:10,937 --> 00:26:16,140 A seated colossus of ramesse which once rose more than 60 feet tall. 538 00:26:16,241 --> 00:26:18,175 So why does he have this reputation? 539 00:26:18,177 --> 00:26:22,846 Why do so many people associate the story of exodus with ramesses? 540 00:26:22,915 --> 00:26:26,350 Because when people try to figure out when exactly 541 00:26:26,419 --> 00:26:31,855 Moses lived in egypt, they assumed it that it could happen during 542 00:26:31,957 --> 00:26:33,523 -The 13th century... -[josh] mmm-hmm. 543 00:26:33,525 --> 00:26:37,227 ...And because the king ruled egypt a long time, and he was so powerful, 544 00:26:37,229 --> 00:26:40,397 So they assumed that he should be the guy. 545 00:26:40,399 --> 00:26:42,933 [josh] so, if ramesses is supposed to be the bad gu 546 00:26:43,035 --> 00:26:45,436 Then this brings up an important question. 547 00:26:45,504 --> 00:26:49,740 Were there hebrew slaves here in ancient egypt? 548 00:26:49,842 --> 00:26:54,511 Do we have archeological evidence of mass numbers 549 00:26:54,513 --> 00:26:57,214 Of semitic people enslaved here? 550 00:26:57,216 --> 00:26:59,149 -No, we didn't have any evidence for that. -[josh] no evidence? 551 00:26:59,218 --> 00:27:01,051 No evidence. 552 00:27:01,053 --> 00:27:04,421 But what about the people who built these incredible temples? 553 00:27:04,423 --> 00:27:08,425 The people who built the pyramids? Were these built by slaves? 554 00:27:08,427 --> 00:27:11,195 -No, built by workmen. -By workmen. 555 00:27:11,197 --> 00:27:12,630 -[gaber] exactly. -Built by egyptians? 556 00:27:12,632 --> 00:27:14,098 By egyptians. 557 00:27:14,100 --> 00:27:15,833 [josh] contrary to the idea that egypt's 558 00:27:15,901 --> 00:27:18,035 Mightiest monuments were built by slaves, 559 00:27:18,137 --> 00:27:21,805 There is ample evidence of a skilled, local labor force 560 00:27:21,807 --> 00:27:26,577 From excavations of workers burials to ancient graffiti from the workers themselves 561 00:27:26,579 --> 00:27:32,249 But there is no archeologica evidence of a huge army of laboring slaves. 562 00:27:32,318 --> 00:27:36,120 So then where do we get this idea that there are not just slaves, 563 00:27:36,122 --> 00:27:41,825 But israelites here in egypt that are fleeing the country? Where does it come from? 564 00:27:41,827 --> 00:27:46,697 Josh, we have temple very close from here, have these answers. 565 00:27:46,699 --> 00:27:48,599 -[josh] really? -Come with me. 566 00:27:52,038 --> 00:27:56,140 Steps from the ramesseum, bahaa leads me to the nearl obliterated remains 567 00:27:56,208 --> 00:28:01,045 Of the funerary temple of the king, merneptah, son of ramesses ii. 568 00:28:01,146 --> 00:28:05,616 And in the corner is a stele or stone monument, which is covered in writing 569 00:28:05,618 --> 00:28:09,520 And in one spot it says something historic. 570 00:28:09,522 --> 00:28:11,555 -So here's the king right here, yes? -[gaber] yes. 571 00:28:11,657 --> 00:28:14,625 -So, this chronicles all his military accomplishments? -Yes. 572 00:28:14,627 --> 00:28:16,493 Okay, so what's significant here? 573 00:28:16,495 --> 00:28:19,229 Josh, we have something very important here, 574 00:28:19,231 --> 00:28:21,999 -Something shocking. Here. -Okay. 575 00:28:22,001 --> 00:28:26,136 The king said that he defeated the people of israel. 576 00:28:26,238 --> 00:28:28,972 -Israel? -[gaber] yes, and that's the first time 577 00:28:28,974 --> 00:28:33,944 That the word israel had been mentioned outside of the bible. 578 00:28:33,946 --> 00:28:35,312 This is incredible. 579 00:28:39,318 --> 00:28:43,420 -Okay. -Here it mentioned that he took his army 580 00:28:43,422 --> 00:28:45,022 Outside of egypt. 581 00:28:45,024 --> 00:28:47,424 They tried to attack egypt from the north. 582 00:28:47,426 --> 00:28:50,227 -Wait, this is, like, a complete flip... -[gaber] yeah. Right. 583 00:28:50,229 --> 00:28:53,931 ...Of the script. So, instead of them being slaves, 584 00:28:53,933 --> 00:28:57,034 -They're actually powerful. They're actually someone... -Yes. 585 00:28:57,036 --> 00:29:00,337 -...That he sees as an invading force. -[gaber] right. 586 00:29:00,406 --> 00:29:03,807 [josh] so, is there any evidence, historically, 587 00:29:03,809 --> 00:29:08,846 That semitic people were ever driven out of egypt from inside its borders? 588 00:29:08,947 --> 00:29:10,914 -It's happened. -It did happen? 589 00:29:10,916 --> 00:29:15,619 Yes, but when, 300 years before the time of the king ramesses. 590 00:29:15,621 --> 00:29:16,920 -Before ramesses? -Yes. 591 00:29:18,657 --> 00:29:20,223 The hyksos people. 592 00:29:28,801 --> 00:29:31,201 [josh] hundreds of years before the possible time of moses, 593 00:29:31,203 --> 00:29:34,505 There are records in egypt from the land of canaan, 594 00:29:34,507 --> 00:29:38,475 What is today in the area of israel and the palestinia territories. 595 00:29:38,477 --> 00:29:41,578 But they weren't here as a group of slaves, rather 596 00:29:41,580 --> 00:29:43,747 They were traders and even rulers. 597 00:29:43,816 --> 00:29:47,818 One group of canaanites actually lorded over lower egypt for a time, 598 00:29:47,820 --> 00:29:51,955 Before being defeated by another group of semites known as the hyksos, 599 00:29:51,957 --> 00:29:55,092 Who were eventually driven out of egypt. 600 00:29:55,094 --> 00:29:58,162 You have these people that are from the land of canaan, 601 00:29:58,197 --> 00:30:03,133 And they're not slaves, they are invaders. Is there a linkage here? 602 00:30:03,235 --> 00:30:08,939 Is the story of exodus somehow inspired by the hyksos leaving egypt? 603 00:30:14,814 --> 00:30:17,815 -And they were run out by the pharaoh. -By a pharaoh. Yeah. 604 00:30:19,051 --> 00:30:21,018 [josh] there's a pattern emerging here. 605 00:30:21,020 --> 00:30:22,820 Events from exodus seem to have 606 00:30:22,822 --> 00:30:25,322 Compelling similarities to recorded history, 607 00:30:25,324 --> 00:30:30,427 But often at a slightly different time, or under different circumstances. 608 00:30:30,429 --> 00:30:34,097 So, could the hyksos be the true israelites of the exodus? 609 00:30:34,099 --> 00:30:37,501 To find out, and to keep hunting for a historical moses, 610 00:30:37,503 --> 00:30:41,605 There's only one thing to do flee the same direction they did, 611 00:30:41,607 --> 00:30:43,640 Out of egypt and into the sinai. 612 00:30:45,744 --> 00:30:47,611 Of course, when the israelit did it, 613 00:30:47,613 --> 00:30:50,314 Moses led them on a unique shortcut. 614 00:30:52,418 --> 00:30:54,418 This is the red sea. 615 00:30:54,420 --> 00:30:58,055 In the bible, moses is desperate to get his people from here 616 00:30:58,123 --> 00:31:02,259 All the way over the sinai peninsula, about 15 miles away. 617 00:31:02,361 --> 00:31:05,262 Lucky for him, he has some divine backup. 618 00:31:05,331 --> 00:31:08,599 Okay, let's do this. Can I get a staff? 619 00:31:09,735 --> 00:31:12,636 Really? Okay. [clears throat] 620 00:31:12,705 --> 00:31:15,806 The host of this show will do battle for us. 621 00:31:15,808 --> 00:31:19,710 Behold the might hand of josh! 622 00:31:22,514 --> 00:31:25,349 Part! Do the... Do the thing! 623 00:31:26,852 --> 00:31:28,485 Was worth a try. 624 00:31:31,223 --> 00:31:34,324 According to the story from exodus, as well as from hollywood, 625 00:31:34,326 --> 00:31:37,361 The israelites had their bac to the red sea 626 00:31:37,429 --> 00:31:39,796 As the pharaoh's army was closing in. 627 00:31:39,798 --> 00:31:44,534 So moses raised his staff, and the red sea miraculousl parted before them. 628 00:31:44,603 --> 00:31:47,704 The israelites ran through safely to the other side, 629 00:31:47,706 --> 00:31:51,742 As for the pursuing egyptian army, the passage collapsed midway. 630 00:31:51,810 --> 00:31:55,412 Which cecil b. Demille pulled off by pouring water over jell-o, by the way. 631 00:31:55,414 --> 00:31:56,513 Pretty effective. 632 00:31:59,218 --> 00:32:02,552 So is there any scientific basis for this? 633 00:32:04,823 --> 00:32:07,758 One recent theory is that we've been reading the bible wrong. 634 00:32:07,826 --> 00:32:11,762 The hebrew name of the body of water moses parted is yam suph. 635 00:32:11,830 --> 00:32:15,599 Yam suph means, "the sea of reeds," or, "the reed sea." 636 00:32:15,601 --> 00:32:18,502 Which might not refer to this body of water at all 637 00:32:18,504 --> 00:32:21,438 But's a part of the nile del to the north. 638 00:32:21,540 --> 00:32:24,441 The bible speaks of a strong east wind 639 00:32:24,510 --> 00:32:26,677 That blew just before the sea parted. 640 00:32:26,679 --> 00:32:30,447 And it turns out that the sea of reeds, much like parts of the red sea here, 641 00:32:30,516 --> 00:32:34,051 Has a unique topography. Hang on a second, I'll show you. 642 00:32:35,254 --> 00:32:36,954 Ah! Ah, that's cold. 643 00:32:41,327 --> 00:32:44,061 [shouting] the waters here are really shallow! 644 00:32:47,032 --> 00:32:50,801 Recent computer modelling has shown that a 60 mile an hour wind 645 00:32:50,803 --> 00:32:53,603 Blowing for eight hours in shallow marshland, 646 00:32:53,605 --> 00:32:57,407 Could push back the waters and expose a land bridge. 647 00:32:57,409 --> 00:33:01,011 And if the wind died down just after the israelites crossed, 648 00:33:01,013 --> 00:33:04,948 A wall of rushing water could have engulfed the pursuing egyptian army. 649 00:33:07,953 --> 00:33:10,654 But even if it were scientifically possible, 650 00:33:10,756 --> 00:33:14,358 What are the odds that the winds would blow right when moses needed them? 651 00:33:14,426 --> 00:33:16,927 Or that they would blow in the israelites' favor? 652 00:33:16,929 --> 00:33:22,132 It would be a tremendous stroke of luck or, dare I say, divine intervention. 653 00:33:24,236 --> 00:33:28,338 And since god has better things to do than perform a miracle on television, 654 00:33:28,440 --> 00:33:30,139 I'm taking the long route, 655 00:33:30,141 --> 00:33:34,211 North up the coast of the red sea until I cros from africa into asia 656 00:33:34,213 --> 00:33:37,114 And the vast deserts of the sinai peninsula, 657 00:33:37,816 --> 00:33:40,817 26,000 square miles of sand 658 00:33:44,323 --> 00:33:49,059 The sinai is also the setting for perhaps the most consequential moment 659 00:33:49,128 --> 00:33:50,827 In the book of exodus, 660 00:33:50,829 --> 00:33:54,698 Because somewhere out here, somewhere amidst all this sand 661 00:33:54,700 --> 00:33:57,334 On top of a place known as mount sinai, 662 00:33:57,403 --> 00:33:59,903 Moses receives the ten commandments. 663 00:34:02,941 --> 00:34:06,009 In the book of exodus, three months after escaping egypt, 664 00:34:06,011 --> 00:34:08,311 The children of israel reach mount sinai, 665 00:34:08,313 --> 00:34:12,449 And moses is called to the summit where god directly bestows upon him 666 00:34:12,517 --> 00:34:14,751 The unbreakable laws of his covenant, 667 00:34:14,853 --> 00:34:17,954 Ten commandments carved into stone tablets. 668 00:34:19,458 --> 00:34:22,626 And believe it or not, no fewer than six locations 669 00:34:22,628 --> 00:34:24,861 Have laid claim to be mount sinai, 670 00:34:24,930 --> 00:34:28,698 But one above all has emerged as the true holy site. 671 00:34:30,602 --> 00:34:33,437 I pull up at the gate of a fortified monastery 672 00:34:33,538 --> 00:34:35,705 Tucked into the base of an imposing mountain. 673 00:34:35,707 --> 00:34:38,241 In arabic, it's called, jabal musa. 674 00:34:38,343 --> 00:34:41,545 In english, this is mount sinai. 675 00:34:48,320 --> 00:34:52,756 I'm at the base of a mountai believed to be the location of the true mount sinai, 676 00:34:52,858 --> 00:34:56,059 Where moses received the ten commandments from go 677 00:34:57,729 --> 00:35:00,397 The greek orthodox monaster of saint catherine 678 00:35:00,399 --> 00:35:05,902 Was built here in the mid-50 atop one of the oldest christian sites on earth. 679 00:35:05,904 --> 00:35:09,940 Inside the courtyard, I'm warmly welcomed by father justin of sinai. 680 00:35:11,143 --> 00:35:13,710 Father, I feel like I've stepped into another time here. 681 00:35:13,712 --> 00:35:16,279 And the outside looks almost like a fortress. 682 00:35:16,281 --> 00:35:19,950 It was built as a fortress to protect the monks, 683 00:35:19,952 --> 00:35:24,321 To honor this holy place, but also this is the border of the roman empire. 684 00:35:24,323 --> 00:35:26,122 Right. 685 00:35:26,124 --> 00:35:31,828 But the monastery has never been abandoned and never been destroyed in 1700 years. 686 00:35:31,830 --> 00:35:34,965 Wow. What an incredible place. 687 00:35:37,202 --> 00:35:39,803 And there are other connections here to the story of moses, 688 00:35:39,805 --> 00:35:42,806 Like one of the main characters. 689 00:35:42,808 --> 00:35:44,741 [father justin] everything was built here because 690 00:35:44,810 --> 00:35:46,643 This is the place of the burning bush, 691 00:35:46,712 --> 00:35:50,313 And this is the burning bush growing behind the church 692 00:35:50,315 --> 00:35:52,916 Next to the chapel of the burning bush. 693 00:35:52,918 --> 00:35:55,652 Wait, you mean the burning bush? 694 00:35:55,754 --> 00:35:59,523 Like the burning bush from the bible where god speaks to moses? 695 00:35:59,525 --> 00:36:01,424 While the fire is out and the bush 696 00:36:01,426 --> 00:36:03,260 May not be talking to anyon these days, 697 00:36:03,361 --> 00:36:07,063 Its very existence seems miraculous. 698 00:36:07,132 --> 00:36:11,201 It is mentioned by egeria, who came here in the year 383. 699 00:36:11,203 --> 00:36:14,204 So even in 383, she mentions 700 00:36:14,206 --> 00:36:17,807 In the valley there's a garden, and in the garden there's a church 701 00:36:17,809 --> 00:36:21,244 Next to the bush, and the bush is alive to this day, 702 00:36:21,346 --> 00:36:22,879 And sends out green shoots. 703 00:36:22,881 --> 00:36:25,115 So this was described in the fourth century. 704 00:36:25,117 --> 00:36:29,219 -It's been described by pilgrims ever since. -[josh] wow. 705 00:36:29,221 --> 00:36:34,324 That is awesome. This monastery is filled with miraculous things. 706 00:36:34,326 --> 00:36:36,626 Lead on. I want to see what else we have here. 707 00:36:37,429 --> 00:36:38,828 The burning bush. 708 00:36:42,434 --> 00:36:45,936 Father justin brings me insi the monastery's library, 709 00:36:46,037 --> 00:36:48,305 A treasure trove of priceless documents 710 00:36:48,307 --> 00:36:50,407 Stretching back through the centuries. 711 00:36:50,409 --> 00:36:53,643 He's pulled a few volumes for me to examine. 712 00:36:53,712 --> 00:36:56,713 The first one is a 10th century manuscript of-- 713 00:36:56,715 --> 00:36:59,816 -I'm sorry, this is a 1000-year-old book? -Yes. 714 00:37:00,519 --> 00:37:02,552 Written on parchment. 715 00:37:02,621 --> 00:37:06,122 It's the text of genesis, exodus and leviticus, 716 00:37:06,124 --> 00:37:09,125 And then it has commentary in the margins. 717 00:37:09,127 --> 00:37:14,598 Many years ago someone took the entire account of genesis and exodus, 718 00:37:14,600 --> 00:37:16,933 And they wrote it out in greek verses. 719 00:37:16,935 --> 00:37:20,503 This is a 16th century manuscript of that text. 720 00:37:20,505 --> 00:37:21,805 This is one of your new books? 721 00:37:21,807 --> 00:37:24,608 [chuckles] and then it's filled with illustrations. 722 00:37:24,610 --> 00:37:27,043 And I believe this is our guy right here, right? 723 00:37:27,145 --> 00:37:28,712 Let's talk about this illustration, 724 00:37:28,714 --> 00:37:32,382 In particular this mountain that moses is standing on. 725 00:37:32,384 --> 00:37:35,952 This is mount sinai or mount horeb in the bible, 726 00:37:35,988 --> 00:37:39,623 And I know that there have been a lot of places put forward 727 00:37:39,625 --> 00:37:41,958 By the historians and theologians over the years 728 00:37:41,960 --> 00:37:43,593 As the possible real location, 729 00:37:43,595 --> 00:37:48,298 But saint catherine's sits at the foot of the place that is really considered... 730 00:37:49,601 --> 00:37:50,634 ...Where this happened. 731 00:37:51,536 --> 00:37:53,136 Why is that? 732 00:37:53,138 --> 00:37:56,406 What is it about this place that gives it authenticity and credibility? 733 00:37:56,408 --> 00:38:00,243 Many people ask us, "how do you know that this is the real sinai?" 734 00:38:00,312 --> 00:38:02,712 -[josh] right. -We point out that the prophet, elijah, 735 00:38:02,714 --> 00:38:04,781 Came to horeb, the mountain of god, 736 00:38:04,783 --> 00:38:07,751 And he lived 600 years after moses. 737 00:38:07,852 --> 00:38:09,085 Right, and he knew where it was. 738 00:38:09,087 --> 00:38:13,156 So 600 years after moses, they knew where sinai was. 739 00:38:13,225 --> 00:38:15,258 So when the monks came here, 740 00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:18,228 In the latter third, early fourth centuries, 741 00:38:18,230 --> 00:38:20,930 They also picked up this living heritage 742 00:38:20,932 --> 00:38:25,402 That this was the place where god revealed himself in such a special way. 743 00:38:25,404 --> 00:38:28,338 [josh] it is this stunning continuity of history here 744 00:38:28,440 --> 00:38:31,408 That has led so many to venerate this place. 745 00:38:31,410 --> 00:38:36,313 And it is for that reason that people also attempt to ascend to the summit. 746 00:38:36,315 --> 00:38:39,549 I know that many people come here to visit the monastery 747 00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:43,019 And also to make the ascent to the top of mount sinai. 748 00:38:43,021 --> 00:38:47,924 I'd like to do that. Do you have any advice for a first-time climber? 749 00:38:49,027 --> 00:38:50,260 It's not an easy ascent. 750 00:38:50,329 --> 00:38:52,829 [laughing] okay. 751 00:38:52,831 --> 00:38:57,701 When you make the ascent, you think, "I'll never get there." 752 00:38:57,703 --> 00:39:01,104 But then you finally do arrive and it's such a joy 753 00:39:01,106 --> 00:39:04,207 To see the spectacular landscape. 754 00:39:05,210 --> 00:39:06,643 I can't wait. 755 00:39:06,745 --> 00:39:11,114 So here's something I'd like to give you for the ascent. 756 00:39:11,116 --> 00:39:14,784 This is a bible that I bought in jerusalem in 1978, 757 00:39:14,786 --> 00:39:17,253 The first time I made a pilgrimage there. 758 00:39:17,322 --> 00:39:20,523 When you read the scriptures, they come alive, 759 00:39:20,525 --> 00:39:22,225 Because you're at the very place 760 00:39:22,227 --> 00:39:25,662 And it's something that you can treasure for the rest of your life. 761 00:39:25,731 --> 00:39:29,799 This is really, really special, thank you so much. 762 00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:31,801 I will take very, very good care of it, father. 763 00:39:31,803 --> 00:39:36,539 Thank you so much for time and for showing us this awesome place. 764 00:39:36,641 --> 00:39:37,807 I really appreciate it. 765 00:39:37,809 --> 00:39:40,710 And all the best on your ascent to the peak. 766 00:39:40,712 --> 00:39:43,146 Thank you, father. Cheers. 767 00:39:43,181 --> 00:39:47,150 And so I'm preparing to follow in moses' most arduous footsteps, 768 00:39:47,185 --> 00:39:50,854 To the meeting point between god and man. 769 00:39:50,922 --> 00:39:54,257 The climb is always attempte well before the light of daw 770 00:39:54,359 --> 00:39:57,727 And so the next day, in the frigid desert darknes 771 00:39:57,729 --> 00:40:00,430 I return to the foot of the monastery. 772 00:40:00,432 --> 00:40:06,136 Well, it is about 2:30 in the morning and I'm here at the base of mount sinai. 773 00:40:06,237 --> 00:40:07,937 You know, when we think about moses leading 774 00:40:07,939 --> 00:40:11,408 The israelites through the desert, we think about sweltering heat. 775 00:40:11,410 --> 00:40:15,678 Right now, it's about 28 degrees fahrenheit, it is absolutely freezing. 776 00:40:15,680 --> 00:40:19,916 And between us and the summit is about 2,500 vertical feet 777 00:40:19,918 --> 00:40:23,119 And a nearly three-mile hike in complete darkness. 778 00:40:23,622 --> 00:40:24,454 Let's do it. 779 00:40:30,529 --> 00:40:32,962 Man, it is cold. 780 00:40:32,964 --> 00:40:36,399 And the higher you get, the windier it gets. 781 00:40:36,401 --> 00:40:38,601 Just feels like walking into nothingness. 782 00:40:48,447 --> 00:40:51,648 [exhales] so, as we come through this pass here, 783 00:40:51,749 --> 00:40:55,151 You can hear the wind just sailing through. 784 00:40:55,253 --> 00:40:56,853 It's getting colder and colder. 785 00:40:56,921 --> 00:40:59,255 I've got my trusty king james bible here. 786 00:40:59,357 --> 00:41:01,624 We're about halfway up the mountain and I have to say, 787 00:41:01,626 --> 00:41:04,427 It really does feel so mysterious here. 788 00:41:04,429 --> 00:41:06,463 And it is hard not to feel the parallels 789 00:41:06,564 --> 00:41:08,832 With the description in the book of exodus. 790 00:41:08,900 --> 00:41:12,535 So, much of the talk about sinai is about the weather here. 791 00:41:12,604 --> 00:41:15,939 They say that there's thunder and lightning on the mount 792 00:41:15,941 --> 00:41:18,208 And the people in the camp trembled. 793 00:41:18,210 --> 00:41:21,311 And mount sinai quaked greatly. 794 00:41:21,313 --> 00:41:23,947 And then the lord came down upon mount sinai 795 00:41:24,048 --> 00:41:26,716 To the top of the mount and called moses up. 796 00:41:26,718 --> 00:41:28,351 And moses went. 797 00:41:28,453 --> 00:41:29,953 And I guess, so will we. 798 00:41:33,492 --> 00:41:36,159 Hundreds of pilgrims are here with me today. 799 00:41:36,228 --> 00:41:39,329 They come by the thousands every year to connect 800 00:41:39,331 --> 00:41:43,399 To the spirit of moses and the god he was said to have met on sinai. 801 00:41:46,104 --> 00:41:47,804 [exhales] come on. 802 00:41:50,008 --> 00:41:51,107 You got this. 803 00:41:52,410 --> 00:41:54,043 Man. 804 00:41:55,313 --> 00:41:58,648 Fortunately, the mountain is dotted with simple stone buildings, 805 00:41:58,716 --> 00:42:01,117 Which serve as rest stops for the faithful. 806 00:42:01,119 --> 00:42:03,419 Inside, merchants make fresh bread. 807 00:42:03,421 --> 00:42:06,322 Pilgrims rest and get something warm to drink. 808 00:42:07,559 --> 00:42:10,193 [speaking arabic] 809 00:42:10,195 --> 00:42:12,662 [in english] a hot cup of coffee in this bitter col 810 00:42:12,764 --> 00:42:15,365 Is a bit of a religious experience in itself. 811 00:42:16,401 --> 00:42:17,200 [exhales] 812 00:42:18,303 --> 00:42:19,536 Thou shalt be caffeinated. 813 00:42:22,307 --> 00:42:26,209 Oh, yes. Thank you. 814 00:42:26,211 --> 00:42:28,511 The walls are lined with photos and notes 815 00:42:28,513 --> 00:42:30,680 From people who have made the climb. 816 00:42:30,682 --> 00:42:33,216 After my cup of joe, I hit the trail, 817 00:42:33,218 --> 00:42:35,752 Leaving my own scripture for future travelers. 818 00:42:37,022 --> 00:42:38,721 [indistinct conversation] 819 00:42:43,061 --> 00:42:46,229 Coming into this slot canyon here, 820 00:42:46,231 --> 00:42:47,931 Toward the top of the peak. 821 00:42:47,933 --> 00:42:50,700 Now it gets really rocky and really vertical. 822 00:42:52,237 --> 00:42:53,102 [whispers] okay. 823 00:42:58,343 --> 00:43:01,144 [grunts] come one. 824 00:43:01,245 --> 00:43:04,814 This may be the holiest mountain on earth, but that doesn't make it sof 825 00:43:06,418 --> 00:43:07,617 [exclaiming] 826 00:43:13,725 --> 00:43:16,526 Manna from heaven, that miraculous food 827 00:43:16,528 --> 00:43:19,362 That god delivered to those desert-wandering israelites 828 00:43:19,397 --> 00:43:22,732 Every day of the week except on Sunday, just like chick-fil-a. 829 00:43:22,834 --> 00:43:26,235 But what was this life-sustaining, heaven-sent snack? 830 00:43:26,337 --> 00:43:28,605 Well, some scientists think it may have been a lichen, 831 00:43:28,607 --> 00:43:30,807 A kind of algae that coats the desert floor. 832 00:43:30,809 --> 00:43:34,744 Others believe it was this, a congealed insect secretion 833 00:43:34,846 --> 00:43:37,146 Found in the sap of the tamarisk tree. 834 00:43:37,248 --> 00:43:39,048 Today this stuff is kind of a delicacy. 835 00:43:39,050 --> 00:43:41,517 Sells for about 10 bucks a gram, even though it looks 836 00:43:41,519 --> 00:43:43,319 Like the rocks at the bottom of your fish tank. 837 00:43:43,321 --> 00:43:44,721 Okay, here goes nothing. 838 00:43:46,157 --> 00:43:48,958 Tangy, gummy, sweet aftertaste. 839 00:43:48,960 --> 00:43:51,561 Not bad for congealed insect excrement. 840 00:43:51,663 --> 00:43:53,930 I mean, I wouldn't want to eat it for 40 years. 841 00:43:54,833 --> 00:43:55,898 Manna, anyone? 842 00:43:57,202 --> 00:43:58,034 It's bug [bleep]. 843 00:44:04,576 --> 00:44:06,009 [exhales] come on. 844 00:44:10,715 --> 00:44:12,715 [exclaiming] 845 00:44:14,352 --> 00:44:17,320 Yeah, I'm okay. [bleep] ow. 846 00:44:17,722 --> 00:44:20,223 Ugh, my knee. 847 00:44:20,225 --> 00:44:24,127 I suppose it makes sense that in visiting mount sinai I'd end up on one knee. 848 00:44:24,496 --> 00:44:26,729 Okay. I'm okay. 849 00:44:28,199 --> 00:44:30,833 I'm okay. Okay, here we go. Oh, man, that was close. 850 00:44:35,140 --> 00:44:37,140 All right, well, we are getting close. 851 00:44:37,208 --> 00:44:41,811 We're within a quarter mile of the summit, of course, there's one last obstacle. 852 00:44:41,813 --> 00:44:44,747 Actually, there's 750 of them. 853 00:44:44,816 --> 00:44:48,351 These steep, stone stairs that go all the way to the top. 854 00:44:49,421 --> 00:44:50,620 Okay, come on. 855 00:44:52,223 --> 00:44:54,123 These are the steps of penitence, 856 00:44:54,125 --> 00:44:56,959 Which lead to the very top of mount sinai. 857 00:45:07,238 --> 00:45:11,708 Oh, god. Oh. If only I had some sort of sign... 858 00:45:11,710 --> 00:45:13,710 [man] how about we keep walking, it's freezing. 859 00:45:13,712 --> 00:45:15,945 -God? -[man] no, camera department. 860 00:45:16,047 --> 00:45:18,047 Yeah, okay. Here we go. 861 00:45:26,958 --> 00:45:30,293 We are now above most of the other peaks. 862 00:45:30,295 --> 00:45:33,362 You can just see them, their outlines, in the darkness. 863 00:45:33,431 --> 00:45:37,200 Totally exposed here now to the wind. Must be close to the top. 864 00:45:44,309 --> 00:45:47,543 Sort of a bottleneck here as we get close to the top. 865 00:45:48,513 --> 00:45:50,713 It's really a hive of activity. 866 00:45:52,817 --> 00:45:58,321 There are people here from all over the world and from every major religion. 867 00:45:58,323 --> 00:46:01,524 Christians, jews, muslims, hindus. 868 00:46:01,526 --> 00:46:03,860 And people from just about every country in the world. 869 00:46:03,961 --> 00:46:06,462 I heard every accent and language imaginable. 870 00:46:06,498 --> 00:46:10,500 All of them here to experience the summit of this holy place. 871 00:46:15,507 --> 00:46:18,040 They climb because they believe that, like moses, 872 00:46:18,109 --> 00:46:21,711 When they reach the top, they will be in the presence of god. 873 00:46:21,713 --> 00:46:26,249 And as I reach the summit, the same feeling begins to tug within me. 874 00:46:33,024 --> 00:46:36,826 You can see while we're here, the sky is starting to lighten. 875 00:46:36,828 --> 00:46:39,962 The sun will be here soon. 876 00:46:39,998 --> 00:46:44,233 Everyone is now racing to the top, trying to catch the first light. 877 00:46:51,042 --> 00:46:55,111 And there, at the summit of mount sinai, I greet the dawn. 878 00:47:00,518 --> 00:47:03,219 Next time, on expedition unknown, 879 00:47:04,956 --> 00:47:10,159 The conclusion of our epic quest to unlock the mysteries of moses. 880 00:47:10,261 --> 00:47:14,363 As I follow in the prophet's footsteps from the peak of mount sina 881 00:47:14,432 --> 00:47:18,935 And search for evidence that moses led his people through the desert. 882 00:47:18,937 --> 00:47:21,804 In the world of the old testament, this would be an israelite, 883 00:47:21,806 --> 00:47:23,339 This would be someone from the land of canaan. 884 00:47:23,374 --> 00:47:25,240 This is pretty extraordinary. 885 00:47:25,242 --> 00:47:29,946 And a relic from the exodus may be lost in the depths of the sea of galilee. 886 00:47:30,047 --> 00:47:32,315 It cannot be natural, it has to be manmade. 887 00:47:32,317 --> 00:47:33,816 Can you show me where it is? 888 00:47:33,818 --> 00:47:35,218 The water's warm, though, right? 889 00:47:35,220 --> 00:47:36,452 No. 890 00:47:36,554 --> 00:47:37,353 Okay, great. 891 00:47:40,625 --> 00:47:42,124 Slight hill here. 892 00:47:42,126 --> 00:47:43,960 Holy moses! [yells] 893 00:47:44,729 --> 00:47:45,795 Fire! 894 00:47:48,132 --> 00:47:50,933 It's an adventure with only one commandment. 895 00:47:50,935 --> 00:47:52,735 Thou shalt watch. 896 00:47:54,038 --> 00:47:55,404 I'd say that about sums it up.