1 00:00:01,402 --> 00:00:03,135 [josh] tonight... 2 00:00:03,137 --> 00:00:07,906 The conclusion of our epic quest to unlock the mysteries of moses. 3 00:00:07,908 --> 00:00:09,942 -There's a tomb of moses? -Yeah. Yes. 4 00:00:10,011 --> 00:00:11,143 Can we see it? 5 00:00:11,145 --> 00:00:14,413 I venture over 3000 years into the past, 6 00:00:14,415 --> 00:00:16,949 Climbing to the peak of mount sinai. 7 00:00:16,951 --> 00:00:18,951 We are now above most of the other peaks, 8 00:00:19,053 --> 00:00:20,853 You can just see the outlines in the darkness. 9 00:00:20,954 --> 00:00:23,922 And the search for evidence that moses led his people 10 00:00:23,924 --> 00:00:24,957 Into the desert. 11 00:00:24,959 --> 00:00:26,291 In the world of the old testament, 12 00:00:26,327 --> 00:00:29,228 This would be an israelite. This is pretty extraordinary. 13 00:00:29,230 --> 00:00:32,598 And a relic from exodus may be lost in the depths 14 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,299 Of the sea of galilee. 15 00:00:34,301 --> 00:00:36,702 It cannot be natural, it has to be manmade. 16 00:00:36,704 --> 00:00:38,103 Can you show me where it is? 17 00:00:38,105 --> 00:00:40,005 -The water is warm, though, right? -No. 18 00:00:40,007 --> 00:00:40,706 [man] yeah. 19 00:00:40,708 --> 00:00:41,907 Okay, great. 20 00:00:46,414 --> 00:00:48,614 Just a couple guys under a heavy cloth in the middle 21 00:00:48,616 --> 00:00:50,416 Of the desert. Really breathes in here. 22 00:00:52,153 --> 00:00:53,318 Fire! 23 00:00:54,722 --> 00:00:55,988 Yes! 24 00:00:55,990 --> 00:00:58,123 I didn't know collecting data could be this much fun. 25 00:00:58,859 --> 00:01:02,428 Hang on. Oh, boy. Yeah! [laughs] 26 00:01:04,732 --> 00:01:07,833 It's an adventure with only one commandment, 27 00:01:07,935 --> 00:01:09,802 "thou shalt watch." 28 00:01:11,005 --> 00:01:12,304 I'd say that about sums it up. 29 00:01:17,044 --> 00:01:18,844 My name is josh gates. 30 00:01:18,913 --> 00:01:19,945 Hello! 31 00:01:20,047 --> 00:01:21,847 Explorer, 32 00:01:21,949 --> 00:01:23,048 Adventurer... 33 00:01:23,150 --> 00:01:24,950 -Amazing. -Help! 34 00:01:25,019 --> 00:01:28,420 ...And a guy who ends up in some very strange situations. 35 00:01:28,422 --> 00:01:29,988 [bleep] whoo! That was exciting. 36 00:01:29,990 --> 00:01:32,825 With a degree in archaeology and a passion 37 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:34,126 For the unexplained. 38 00:01:34,228 --> 00:01:36,228 -[laughs] -I travel to the ends of the earth 39 00:01:36,230 --> 00:01:39,198 Investigating the greatest legends in history. 40 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:40,599 Hey, let's punch it. 41 00:01:40,601 --> 00:01:43,202 This is expedition unkno. 42 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,841 Moses, man or myth? 43 00:01:48,909 --> 00:01:51,944 I'm on a hunt for answers using modern science 44 00:01:52,012 --> 00:01:57,015 And archaeology to unravel the history behind this biblical mystery. 45 00:01:57,017 --> 00:02:01,520 Moses is a prophet in judais christianity and islam. 46 00:02:01,522 --> 00:02:04,423 A towering figure with humble beginnings. 47 00:02:04,425 --> 00:02:07,759 According to scripture, moses was a hebrew raised I 48 00:02:07,861 --> 00:02:09,561 The palace of the pharaoh in egypt. 49 00:02:09,630 --> 00:02:12,064 One brick down, a few hundred to go. 50 00:02:12,066 --> 00:02:15,200 I've opened the sealed tomb of a powerful vizier 51 00:02:15,202 --> 00:02:17,035 With a unique background. 52 00:02:17,037 --> 00:02:20,539 His name is aper-el. It's not an egyptian name. 53 00:02:20,641 --> 00:02:21,907 So what is it? 54 00:02:21,909 --> 00:02:24,243 It's a semitic name. 55 00:02:24,311 --> 00:02:27,246 With evidence that a person like moses was able to reac 56 00:02:27,347 --> 00:02:30,349 The highest ranks of a pharaoh's court. 57 00:02:30,417 --> 00:02:34,052 I crossed into the vast deserts of the sinai peninsu 58 00:02:34,154 --> 00:02:36,121 To a remote monastery at the base 59 00:02:36,123 --> 00:02:37,956 Of the biblical mount sinai 60 00:02:37,958 --> 00:02:40,526 [rabbi] everything was built here, because this is the place 61 00:02:40,528 --> 00:02:41,927 Of the burning bush. 62 00:02:41,929 --> 00:02:43,762 Wait a minute, you mean the burning bush? 63 00:02:45,466 --> 00:02:47,332 [grunts] come on. 64 00:02:48,302 --> 00:02:50,903 At the top of this most mystical mountain, 65 00:02:50,905 --> 00:02:54,106 God himself is said to have bestowed upon moses 66 00:02:54,108 --> 00:02:55,707 The 10 commandments. 67 00:02:55,709 --> 00:02:59,311 You can hear the wind just sailing through. 68 00:02:59,313 --> 00:03:01,413 It's getting colder and colder. 69 00:03:02,016 --> 00:03:03,615 After hours of hiking, 70 00:03:03,617 --> 00:03:07,052 The final test, more than 700 rock cut stairs 71 00:03:07,054 --> 00:03:08,220 To the peak. 72 00:03:09,323 --> 00:03:11,924 [exclaims, grunts] 73 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:15,627 After regaining my footing, I push on. 74 00:03:15,629 --> 00:03:18,130 Joined by hundreds of faithful pilgrims 75 00:03:18,132 --> 00:03:20,065 Who are also making the ascent. 76 00:03:21,936 --> 00:03:24,703 Everyone is now racing to the top 77 00:03:24,705 --> 00:03:26,305 Trying to catch the first light. 78 00:03:29,243 --> 00:03:31,510 And just as the rays of the sun pierce through 79 00:03:31,512 --> 00:03:32,744 The veil of darkness, 80 00:03:32,846 --> 00:03:35,113 All of us arrive at the top of the mountain. 81 00:03:40,521 --> 00:03:43,055 The summit. Whew! 82 00:03:55,936 --> 00:03:57,636 That is incredible. 83 00:03:59,607 --> 00:04:03,642 The view is quite simply, well, divine. 84 00:04:05,546 --> 00:04:08,213 "and they saw the god of israel, 85 00:04:08,215 --> 00:04:10,716 And there was under his feet as it were 86 00:04:10,718 --> 00:04:13,452 A paved work of a sapphire stone 87 00:04:13,520 --> 00:04:16,922 And the body of heaven in his clearness. 88 00:04:16,924 --> 00:04:19,024 And the sight of the glory of the lord 89 00:04:19,026 --> 00:04:22,361 Was like devouring fire on the top of the mount 90 00:04:22,429 --> 00:04:25,030 In the eyes of the children of israel." 91 00:04:28,702 --> 00:04:30,202 I'd say that about sums it up. 92 00:04:44,618 --> 00:04:46,551 With the sun rising in the sky, 93 00:04:46,653 --> 00:04:49,855 I enter into the shadows of a chapel kept by the monk 94 00:04:49,890 --> 00:04:51,256 Of saint catherine's. 95 00:04:52,626 --> 00:04:55,827 This part of my investigatio hasn't been about proof. 96 00:04:55,829 --> 00:04:57,829 It's an exploration of faith 97 00:04:57,831 --> 00:05:00,499 And no matter what you belie or don't believe, 98 00:05:00,501 --> 00:05:03,935 There is something to be deeply respected here 99 00:05:03,937 --> 00:05:06,238 The establishment of the 10 commandments, 100 00:05:06,307 --> 00:05:09,808 A pivotal moment when humani tried to better itself throu 101 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:12,311 A set of fundamental moral laws. 102 00:05:15,416 --> 00:05:18,216 As moses did after receivin the 10 commandments, 103 00:05:18,218 --> 00:05:20,519 I begin to descend mount sinai. 104 00:05:22,323 --> 00:05:24,923 Unfortunately, when moses returns, 105 00:05:24,925 --> 00:05:27,726 He finds the israelites have abandoned their faith 106 00:05:27,728 --> 00:05:30,696 And are worshiping a golden calf. 107 00:05:30,698 --> 00:05:34,299 In an act of anger, moses throws the tablets to the ground. 108 00:05:37,805 --> 00:05:40,339 As a punishment for their moment of weakness 109 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:44,309 The israelites are condemne to wander the desert for 40 years 110 00:05:44,311 --> 00:05:47,312 Before reaching the land promised to them by god. 111 00:05:48,716 --> 00:05:51,049 I'm hoping that such a migration would have left 112 00:05:51,151 --> 00:05:53,218 An archeological footprint. 113 00:05:53,220 --> 00:05:55,921 And now I hear there's an eminent french archaeologist 114 00:05:55,923 --> 00:05:59,858 Working at an isolated site that may have found compelling evidence. 115 00:06:01,662 --> 00:06:04,296 I drive from mount sinai deeper into the desert 116 00:06:04,298 --> 00:06:07,199 Toward a place known as serabit el-khadim 117 00:06:07,201 --> 00:06:10,202 Where the term remote doesn't begin to cut it. 118 00:06:10,204 --> 00:06:11,336 Okay? 119 00:06:11,972 --> 00:06:14,506 Guess this is the back way. 120 00:06:14,508 --> 00:06:18,009 There are no roads here, just temporary tracks in the sand 121 00:06:18,011 --> 00:06:20,812 From 4x4s crossing the vast desert. 122 00:06:20,814 --> 00:06:24,449 Okay, I might be a little lost. 123 00:06:24,518 --> 00:06:26,952 Finding an archaeological si out here is going 124 00:06:27,053 --> 00:06:28,487 To require some help. 125 00:06:28,489 --> 00:06:31,356 Fortunately, my contact has arranged for a guide. 126 00:06:31,458 --> 00:06:33,058 That is, if I can find him. 127 00:06:36,063 --> 00:06:38,964 Gps says I should be about 15 miles away, 128 00:06:39,065 --> 00:06:41,833 But, out here, well, that might take a while. 129 00:06:44,104 --> 00:06:47,439 Driving in the desert is not for the faint of heart. 130 00:06:48,409 --> 00:06:51,109 Thousands of these criss-crossed trails 131 00:06:51,111 --> 00:06:52,644 Leading in every direction, 132 00:06:52,713 --> 00:06:55,814 Not to mention blind corners, sudden drops. 133 00:06:58,051 --> 00:07:02,354 And, of course, enough sand to swallow even the most rugged tires. 134 00:07:02,423 --> 00:07:04,756 The key is to just keep moving. 135 00:07:04,825 --> 00:07:07,726 After all, if you get stuck, there's nobody here 136 00:07:07,728 --> 00:07:09,060 To help dig you out. 137 00:07:12,132 --> 00:07:14,699 Also, though, it's extremely fun. 138 00:07:14,701 --> 00:07:15,734 Here we go. 139 00:07:21,708 --> 00:07:26,211 To your left and your right, left, right. 140 00:07:26,814 --> 00:07:28,013 Straight. 141 00:07:31,051 --> 00:07:32,317 Okay. 142 00:07:32,953 --> 00:07:35,020 Running out of plateau here. 143 00:07:36,023 --> 00:07:37,622 Need to find a way down. 144 00:07:39,860 --> 00:07:41,460 Maybe here? 145 00:07:42,696 --> 00:07:44,963 Sure. Why not? 146 00:07:48,202 --> 00:07:50,135 Hang on. Oh, boy! 147 00:07:52,306 --> 00:07:53,939 [exclaims, laughs] 148 00:07:53,941 --> 00:07:54,940 [whoops] 149 00:07:57,611 --> 00:07:58,810 Oh. 150 00:07:58,812 --> 00:08:00,612 I think I threw my back out on that one. 151 00:08:03,417 --> 00:08:05,550 Oh. It's a rental. 152 00:08:08,055 --> 00:08:10,956 This guy should be somewhere around here. 153 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,428 Oh, I see a structure. Okay, here we go. 154 00:08:16,964 --> 00:08:18,096 This has gotta be it. 155 00:08:18,164 --> 00:08:20,999 In a place that seems utterly inhospitable, 156 00:08:21,001 --> 00:08:22,701 I find signs of life. 157 00:08:22,703 --> 00:08:26,805 A small bedouin camp and the guide I've traveled far to find. 158 00:08:26,807 --> 00:08:30,041 [both greeting in foreign language] 159 00:08:30,110 --> 00:08:32,043 -You rabia? -Yes, my name is rabia. 160 00:08:32,045 --> 00:08:35,447 Josh. I hear you're the man if I want to go to the site 161 00:08:35,549 --> 00:08:37,115 -Known as serabit? -Yes. 162 00:08:37,117 --> 00:08:39,417 Okay, so we, we drive? 163 00:08:39,419 --> 00:08:41,253 -No, no, no, we'll go walk. -We walk? 164 00:08:41,321 --> 00:08:43,655 -How far is it? -It's far, yeah. 165 00:08:43,723 --> 00:08:46,525 -Perfect. Okay, I'm right behind you. Come on, let's go. -Yeah. 166 00:08:49,830 --> 00:08:52,397 My new bedouin friend leads us away from camp 167 00:08:52,399 --> 00:08:54,499 And into a steep walled ravine. 168 00:08:56,103 --> 00:08:58,436 The bedouins are the masters of the desert. 169 00:08:58,538 --> 00:09:01,640 Without my guide here, I'd never find this hidden trail. 170 00:09:01,741 --> 00:09:04,676 As it is, I'm mostly focused on not falling off of it. 171 00:09:05,712 --> 00:09:07,212 A little bit of a drop off. 172 00:09:10,817 --> 00:09:13,818 We climb higher and higher toward a hidden site, 173 00:09:13,820 --> 00:09:16,388 A place that might reveal if the semitic people 174 00:09:16,390 --> 00:09:19,424 From exodus traveled throug the sinai. 175 00:09:19,426 --> 00:09:22,627 My guide is climbing in sandals, but the higher we get, 176 00:09:22,629 --> 00:09:25,163 The more I'm relying on the grip of my boots. 177 00:09:26,533 --> 00:09:27,732 Okay. 178 00:09:29,002 --> 00:09:30,635 No room for error here. 179 00:09:31,405 --> 00:09:32,938 Very narrow. 180 00:09:34,942 --> 00:09:38,043 Finally, we emerge on a high desert plateau. 181 00:09:38,144 --> 00:09:39,244 Oh! 182 00:09:39,346 --> 00:09:41,813 -This is the top, yeah. -It's the top. 183 00:09:43,116 --> 00:09:45,216 Amidst all this natural desolation, 184 00:09:45,218 --> 00:09:48,420 I'm stunned to see ancient manmade construction 185 00:09:48,422 --> 00:09:49,754 In the distance. 186 00:09:49,823 --> 00:09:51,056 The temple here. 187 00:09:51,058 --> 00:09:52,924 -Okay. -Me, I go back. 188 00:09:52,926 --> 00:09:54,826 -Okay, I leave you here. -Okay, goodbye. 189 00:09:54,828 --> 00:09:56,628 -Thank you so much. -Welcome. Welcome. 190 00:09:56,630 --> 00:09:57,929 Bye-bye. 191 00:09:57,931 --> 00:10:00,799 I walk toward the site, which feels like something 192 00:10:00,801 --> 00:10:02,133 From another world. 193 00:10:02,202 --> 00:10:04,202 To find out what it's doing out here, 194 00:10:04,204 --> 00:10:07,706 I'm meeting french egyptologist pierre tallet. 195 00:10:07,708 --> 00:10:10,842 -Pierre, I'm josh, nice to meet you. -Pleased to meet you. 196 00:10:10,911 --> 00:10:13,311 I'm kind of in shock looking at this. 197 00:10:13,313 --> 00:10:15,814 This is not at all what I expected to be up here. 198 00:10:15,816 --> 00:10:18,950 Well, it is one of the most remote temples in egypt. 199 00:10:18,952 --> 00:10:23,722 It has been built around 2000 bc by miners. 200 00:10:25,125 --> 00:10:26,958 While the sinai might look empty, 201 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:28,627 That's only on the surface. 202 00:10:28,629 --> 00:10:31,730 Ancient egyptians sent expeditions vast distances 203 00:10:31,732 --> 00:10:34,899 From the nile delta to recov commodities like copper, 204 00:10:34,901 --> 00:10:36,935 Or in this case, turquoise. 205 00:10:36,937 --> 00:10:40,505 Precious beautiful stone, valuable to egyptians. 206 00:10:40,507 --> 00:10:42,107 Yeah. 207 00:10:45,812 --> 00:10:50,248 Atop this plateau are no fewer than 30 ancient turquoise mines. 208 00:10:50,350 --> 00:10:54,352 And in the center of the sit the egyptians built this, 209 00:10:54,421 --> 00:10:57,656 A hilltop temple nearly 4000 years old 210 00:10:57,724 --> 00:11:01,126 Carved by the miners who toiled here far from hom 211 00:11:12,506 --> 00:11:15,073 I got it. So every year when an expedition would come here 212 00:11:15,075 --> 00:11:16,941 From egypt, they would erect a monument. 213 00:11:17,043 --> 00:11:19,911 -Yeah, basically recording everything. -Everything? 214 00:11:19,913 --> 00:11:23,148 You can even find the record of the food and drinks. 215 00:11:23,216 --> 00:11:25,617 Stele like this are some of the earliest forms 216 00:11:25,619 --> 00:11:27,318 Of posting on social media. 217 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:29,721 Right down to the annoying pictures of food. 218 00:11:29,723 --> 00:11:33,425 -Even the menu's on here. -Yeah, even the menus and feasts are there. 219 00:11:33,427 --> 00:11:36,227 Okay, let's keep moving. 220 00:11:36,329 --> 00:11:39,230 But not everything in this lost temple is egyptian. 221 00:11:39,232 --> 00:11:41,533 There's someone else here. 222 00:11:41,634 --> 00:11:45,336 Here's something very special. You see this guy here? 223 00:11:45,405 --> 00:11:47,038 -Yes, he's on an animal. -[speaking] 224 00:11:47,941 --> 00:11:48,940 Okay. 225 00:11:53,914 --> 00:11:54,813 Ever? 226 00:12:00,020 --> 00:12:01,319 This is a semitic person? 227 00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:10,762 In the world of the old testament, 228 00:12:10,864 --> 00:12:12,597 This would be an israelite, this would be someone 229 00:12:12,599 --> 00:12:13,898 -Yeah. -From the land of canaan? 230 00:12:13,966 --> 00:12:16,634 -From the land of canaanite. -This is pretty extraordinary. 231 00:12:17,204 --> 00:12:18,737 Holy moses. 232 00:12:18,838 --> 00:12:21,940 This is evidence literally carved in stone 233 00:12:21,942 --> 00:12:24,576 That israelites were working in the sinai desert 234 00:12:24,578 --> 00:12:27,312 Around the time of the exodus story. 235 00:12:27,314 --> 00:12:30,949 You look historically for connection points 236 00:12:30,951 --> 00:12:33,418 For things that may have inspired these stories. 237 00:12:33,420 --> 00:12:36,221 But the idea that there are semitic people here 238 00:12:36,223 --> 00:12:39,224 Working here in egypt in the sinai, 239 00:12:39,226 --> 00:12:41,693 You start to see at least some linkage with the idea 240 00:12:41,695 --> 00:12:43,561 That you have this movement of people. 241 00:12:43,663 --> 00:12:45,797 Yeah, this is a meeting point of cultures. 242 00:12:45,799 --> 00:12:48,233 -Wow. -Now there is something very interesting 243 00:12:48,334 --> 00:12:49,901 I want you to see inside. 244 00:12:49,903 --> 00:12:52,403 -Inside? Yeah. -Inside the cave. 245 00:12:52,405 --> 00:12:55,507 -What's more interesting than this? Please. -Yeah. 246 00:12:55,509 --> 00:12:58,843 Josh, this is most important part of the temple. 247 00:13:00,013 --> 00:13:03,615 The shrine, which is devoted to the main divinity. 248 00:13:03,617 --> 00:13:05,416 Right, this is the goddess here 249 00:13:05,418 --> 00:13:07,018 -And this is the king? -[speaking] 250 00:13:10,724 --> 00:13:13,491 Hathor is the cow goddess? 251 00:13:13,493 --> 00:13:17,529 Hathor, the egyptian goddes of love, fertility, music 252 00:13:17,531 --> 00:13:21,032 And pleasure was depicted as a woman, often with horns 253 00:13:21,835 --> 00:13:24,335 She's shown in the human form here. 254 00:13:24,404 --> 00:13:27,739 The horns are there because she was also represented as a cow 255 00:13:27,841 --> 00:13:30,542 Which has a very intriguing parallel with exodus. 256 00:13:32,312 --> 00:13:36,714 Remember that golden calf the israelites were worshipping at mount sinai? 257 00:13:36,716 --> 00:13:39,651 This is a really tantalizing possibility. 258 00:13:39,752 --> 00:13:42,220 The idea that we have in exodus, 259 00:13:42,222 --> 00:13:45,223 This golden calf that these people start worshipping. 260 00:13:45,225 --> 00:13:47,358 And here we have semitic people 261 00:13:47,460 --> 00:13:50,528 -Who are worshipping a cow goddess. -Yeah. Yeah. 262 00:13:50,530 --> 00:13:52,964 This place isn't just a turquoise mine. 263 00:13:53,032 --> 00:13:55,934 It's an archaeological goldmine. 264 00:13:55,936 --> 00:13:57,735 And in one of the nearby chambers, 265 00:13:57,804 --> 00:14:00,605 Pierre shows me one more piece of history, 266 00:14:00,607 --> 00:14:02,640 One that applies to all of u 267 00:14:12,352 --> 00:14:15,153 These miners, these semitic people that are here, 268 00:14:15,255 --> 00:14:17,522 They start scribbling this into the wall. 269 00:14:17,524 --> 00:14:20,325 -Yeah. -Why? What, what does it represent? 270 00:14:32,038 --> 00:14:33,037 Aleph? 271 00:14:33,039 --> 00:14:35,607 Aleph is the semitic word for an ox, 272 00:14:35,609 --> 00:14:37,141 Hence the horns. 273 00:14:37,143 --> 00:14:39,978 But it's the first sound of aleph that the semitic people 274 00:14:39,980 --> 00:14:41,946 Were trying to represent. 275 00:14:42,048 --> 00:14:45,817 What happens if you flip it upside down? 276 00:14:45,819 --> 00:14:47,819 -It's an egg. -Exactly. 277 00:14:47,821 --> 00:14:51,556 So, aleph is an ox. 278 00:14:51,658 --> 00:14:53,458 You draw an ox, you flip it upside down, 279 00:14:53,559 --> 00:14:55,260 -We have the letter a? -You have an a. 280 00:14:55,328 --> 00:14:57,829 Or this symbol for water pronounced "mem". 281 00:14:57,831 --> 00:15:01,699 Or if you cover the edges, we would know it as an m. 282 00:15:16,049 --> 00:15:17,615 That's where we get the word alphabet? 283 00:15:17,617 --> 00:15:19,117 -Yeah. -I quit. 284 00:15:19,119 --> 00:15:20,551 -I just... -Yeah. 285 00:15:20,653 --> 00:15:22,020 You just made my brain explode. 286 00:15:22,022 --> 00:15:23,121 [laughs] 287 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:35,934 This is crazy. 288 00:15:35,936 --> 00:15:41,039 What you were seeing here is perhaps the most importan graffiti in the world. 289 00:15:41,041 --> 00:15:44,809 That ox and the other symbol would be used by the phoenicians 290 00:15:44,811 --> 00:15:47,145 Then in hebrew, greek and latin. 291 00:15:47,213 --> 00:15:50,615 And on and on, until you learned it as a ki 292 00:15:50,617 --> 00:15:52,784 And it started here. 293 00:15:52,786 --> 00:15:54,819 When it comes to the israelites, 294 00:15:54,821 --> 00:15:56,754 When it comes to the semitic people. 295 00:15:56,823 --> 00:16:00,992 This is as personal a connection to these people 296 00:16:00,994 --> 00:16:02,327 As you can imagine. 297 00:16:02,329 --> 00:16:06,164 This is their fingerprints, someone sat here, right here. 298 00:16:06,265 --> 00:16:08,299 -Yeah. -And carved the very beginnings 299 00:16:08,301 --> 00:16:10,635 -Of our written language. -Yeah. 300 00:16:10,704 --> 00:16:14,038 This is really extraordinary. Everybody should see this. 301 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:16,607 After all, we're writing it every day. 302 00:16:16,609 --> 00:16:17,942 Yeah, of course. 303 00:16:19,212 --> 00:16:22,513 I thank pierre and leave the ruins of serabit el-khad 304 00:16:22,515 --> 00:16:23,915 In a state of amazement, 305 00:16:23,917 --> 00:16:26,417 Having seen evidence of ancient semites 306 00:16:26,419 --> 00:16:28,720 Passing through here during the time of moses, 307 00:16:28,722 --> 00:16:31,255 Along with a lesson in my abcs. 308 00:16:32,926 --> 00:16:35,727 I returned to the desert and my wanderings 309 00:16:35,729 --> 00:16:39,630 Following the israelites sto through history. 310 00:16:39,632 --> 00:16:44,102 After 40 years in the sinai god finally allowed his chosen people 311 00:16:44,104 --> 00:16:45,737 Into the promised land. 312 00:16:45,805 --> 00:16:48,706 It only takes me another day another country 313 00:16:48,708 --> 00:16:52,610 And another rented truck to cross the 250 or so miles 314 00:16:54,147 --> 00:16:57,215 We are approaching the spot where the bible says 315 00:16:57,217 --> 00:16:59,717 The hebrews entered the land of canaan. 316 00:16:59,719 --> 00:17:02,487 At this point led by my namesake, joshua. 317 00:17:02,489 --> 00:17:05,757 And just like him, I've got to cross the river jordan. 318 00:17:05,825 --> 00:17:07,325 Cue the gospel music. 319 00:17:07,327 --> 00:17:09,327 [gospel music playing] 320 00:17:12,265 --> 00:17:14,399 Welcome to the holy land. 321 00:17:14,401 --> 00:17:17,702 Today, this is israel and the palestinian territories, 322 00:17:17,704 --> 00:17:20,438 And civilization is everywhe you look. 323 00:17:20,507 --> 00:17:24,208 But when did it arrive here and who brought it? 324 00:17:24,210 --> 00:17:26,544 To find out, I drive into the west bank 325 00:17:26,646 --> 00:17:28,446 At a place known as el-mastarah 326 00:17:28,515 --> 00:17:31,616 Where an international team is using cutting edge scienc 327 00:17:31,618 --> 00:17:33,818 To learn about who was livin in this area 328 00:17:33,820 --> 00:17:36,054 During the potential time of exodus. 329 00:17:39,092 --> 00:17:40,958 [music ends] 330 00:17:41,060 --> 00:17:44,962 I park and hike up to meet archaeologist david ben-shlomo. 331 00:17:45,632 --> 00:17:48,199 -Hey. David. -Oh, hi. 332 00:17:48,201 --> 00:17:49,734 -Hi, josh. -Nice office. 333 00:17:49,836 --> 00:17:51,803 -Oh, yeah. -Not the easiest place to find. 334 00:17:51,805 --> 00:17:53,304 Yeah, it's a good location. 335 00:17:53,306 --> 00:17:54,539 Especially if you don't want to be bothered. 336 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:57,041 -Yeah. -So, okay, I've come to talk to you about 337 00:17:57,110 --> 00:17:59,844 The bible, specifically moses, exodus. 338 00:17:59,913 --> 00:18:04,148 So in the story, we have the israelites coming here 339 00:18:04,250 --> 00:18:05,349 Into the land of canaan, right? 340 00:18:05,351 --> 00:18:07,985 And they are effectively nomads at this point. 341 00:18:07,987 --> 00:18:11,522 So, do we have any evidence for this part of the story? 342 00:18:11,524 --> 00:18:14,058 Are there nomadic people moving through this land? 343 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:15,993 Well, we might have. 344 00:18:15,995 --> 00:18:18,329 -Right here. -Like, right here, right here? 345 00:18:21,034 --> 00:18:23,000 -This is a circle. -Yeah, have a look. 346 00:18:23,002 --> 00:18:24,268 These are all structures. 347 00:18:24,270 --> 00:18:26,237 So what do we think these were used for? 348 00:18:30,009 --> 00:18:32,110 Do we have evidence that people were living in here? 349 00:18:34,848 --> 00:18:36,047 Right. 350 00:18:37,617 --> 00:18:39,317 But we didn't find anything. 351 00:18:39,319 --> 00:18:43,321 But nearby, there's a site which we can get much more evidence. 352 00:18:43,323 --> 00:18:45,356 -I like evidence. Please. -You want to see that? 353 00:18:45,425 --> 00:18:46,924 Then follow me. 354 00:18:46,926 --> 00:18:50,228 We climb up a rocky hill which leads to an incredible view 355 00:18:50,230 --> 00:18:52,063 And some serious ruins. 356 00:18:52,932 --> 00:18:56,300 -Okay. -So this is our main site. 357 00:18:56,302 --> 00:18:58,402 So, we have a lot more than just stone circles here. 358 00:18:58,404 --> 00:18:59,737 -I can see immediately. -Yeah. 359 00:18:59,806 --> 00:19:02,140 And so, walk me through the architecture here. 360 00:19:02,208 --> 00:19:04,308 -I see what looks like a wall over there? -Yeah, 361 00:19:04,310 --> 00:19:06,744 You can see the basic thing is the whole settlement 362 00:19:06,846 --> 00:19:08,846 Is surrounded by fortification wall. 363 00:19:08,915 --> 00:19:10,448 We call it the casemate wall. 364 00:19:10,517 --> 00:19:12,316 It's made out of two lines of stones. 365 00:19:12,318 --> 00:19:14,352 It's very typical of the iron age 366 00:19:14,453 --> 00:19:16,220 Or the first temple period. 367 00:19:16,222 --> 00:19:18,523 The iron age in this part of the world stretched 368 00:19:18,525 --> 00:19:21,492 From about 1200 to 600 bce, 369 00:19:21,494 --> 00:19:25,563 Just after the time of the events described in exodus. 370 00:19:25,631 --> 00:19:27,598 So if we kind of put this in the world of moses, 371 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:31,102 He would have lived in what we call the end of the bronze age. 372 00:19:31,104 --> 00:19:33,104 -Yeah. -And so, the iron age is the... 373 00:19:33,106 --> 00:19:35,039 -Or the first temple period? This is what comes after that? -Yeah. 374 00:19:35,041 --> 00:19:38,242 At the end of this bronze age period going into the iron age, 375 00:19:38,344 --> 00:19:40,811 -Like, a huge shift does happen, right? -Yeah. 376 00:19:40,813 --> 00:19:44,949 A transition towards a more complex state society 377 00:19:44,951 --> 00:19:48,452 With kings and priests and taxes and writing. 378 00:19:48,521 --> 00:19:50,488 -And that's, that's coming from somewhere? -Yeah, 379 00:19:50,490 --> 00:19:53,457 It has to come from somewhere, it cannot pop up from nothing. 380 00:19:53,559 --> 00:19:55,526 Where are the seeds of this? 381 00:19:55,528 --> 00:19:57,862 As we can see by these elaborate ruins, 382 00:19:57,964 --> 00:19:59,797 By the time the iron age arrives, 383 00:19:59,799 --> 00:20:02,200 A complex society is taking root. 384 00:20:02,202 --> 00:20:05,203 So did it arrive here with the children of the exodus 385 00:20:05,205 --> 00:20:06,737 In the bronze age? 386 00:20:06,806 --> 00:20:08,940 It's really a problem not yet solved, 387 00:20:08,942 --> 00:20:11,042 I think because so far from that period, 388 00:20:11,110 --> 00:20:13,311 We don't have any evidence, but we are looking for it. 389 00:20:13,313 --> 00:20:16,214 Maybe there isn't signs of earlier habitation here. 390 00:20:16,216 --> 00:20:18,115 -Underneath the iron age? -Underneath, yeah. 391 00:20:18,117 --> 00:20:20,952 In order to find earlier, we have to dig deeper. 392 00:20:20,954 --> 00:20:23,721 And so your team primarily is working down here? 393 00:20:23,723 --> 00:20:26,958 Yes, we are working down there in the northern part of the site. 394 00:20:28,361 --> 00:20:31,729 To pinpoint how deep we nee to dig for bronze age relics 395 00:20:31,731 --> 00:20:33,097 I head down the hill, 396 00:20:33,165 --> 00:20:36,234 Passing excavators hard at work uncovering the past. 397 00:20:37,604 --> 00:20:40,705 Until I find geo archaeologi oren ackermann. 398 00:20:42,008 --> 00:20:44,442 -Hi, how are you? I'm josh. -Hi, josh. 399 00:20:44,543 --> 00:20:46,010 -Nice to meeting you. -Nice meeting you too. 400 00:20:46,012 --> 00:20:47,612 And what are you working on here? 401 00:20:47,614 --> 00:20:49,714 -Have a seat and I'll show you. -Sure. 402 00:20:50,650 --> 00:20:52,049 So, what have we got here? 403 00:20:52,151 --> 00:20:55,786 So, josh, we are archaeologists and we deal with layers. 404 00:20:55,788 --> 00:20:57,421 History is all about layers. 405 00:20:57,423 --> 00:20:59,323 So I'm using a new technique. 406 00:20:59,325 --> 00:21:00,925 -Okay. -Portable osl. 407 00:21:00,927 --> 00:21:03,060 Portable osl? What is osl? 408 00:21:03,129 --> 00:21:06,430 Osl is optically stimulated luminescence. 409 00:21:06,432 --> 00:21:09,300 So, in the sediment there is quartz. 410 00:21:09,302 --> 00:21:11,802 There's quartz, right? So this is bits of quartz crystals 411 00:21:11,804 --> 00:21:13,204 -That are trapped in the dirt here. -Yes. 412 00:21:13,206 --> 00:21:14,839 Okay. 413 00:21:14,907 --> 00:21:17,642 When the particles of quart become trapped in the earth 414 00:21:17,710 --> 00:21:21,212 They begin to accumulate radiation from the surrounding soil. 415 00:21:21,214 --> 00:21:22,946 The longer the quartz is there, 416 00:21:22,948 --> 00:21:27,051 The more radiation it absorb which is where oren's machine comes in. 417 00:21:27,053 --> 00:21:31,956 What we do, we stimulated this radiation in the lab 418 00:21:31,958 --> 00:21:34,258 Or in the portable equipment that we have here. 419 00:21:34,360 --> 00:21:36,127 How are you stim-- what do you mean? 420 00:21:36,129 --> 00:21:37,928 Like, what, you put on some marvin gaye? 421 00:21:37,930 --> 00:21:39,030 What do you mean you stimulate it? 422 00:21:39,032 --> 00:21:41,065 What are you, what are you talking about? 423 00:21:41,133 --> 00:21:44,502 The osl releases the radiati in the quartz crystals 424 00:21:44,504 --> 00:21:47,405 And counts the number of photons that are discharged. 425 00:21:47,407 --> 00:21:51,242 The higher the number of photons, the older the sample. 426 00:21:51,311 --> 00:21:55,713 So if we want to see if there are bronze age people here, 427 00:21:55,715 --> 00:21:58,749 If we want to think about this biblical story of the time of moses, 428 00:21:58,818 --> 00:22:00,251 We have to maybe look deeper. 429 00:22:00,353 --> 00:22:01,619 Yes, but there's one problem. 430 00:22:01,621 --> 00:22:03,521 -Okay. -Because when I sample it, 431 00:22:03,523 --> 00:22:06,257 It might be exposed again to the sun. 432 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:09,226 -So we need to make it dark? -So I have this cover. 433 00:22:09,228 --> 00:22:14,031 -So I put above the section and then I go inside. -Uh-huh. 434 00:22:14,033 --> 00:22:16,200 You would like to join me? 435 00:22:16,202 --> 00:22:17,535 Jeez, thought you'd never ask. 436 00:22:17,603 --> 00:22:18,935 -[laughs] -let's go. 437 00:22:18,937 --> 00:22:21,339 In order for the machine to get an accurate reading, 438 00:22:21,407 --> 00:22:24,241 The samples must be totally shielded from the su 439 00:22:24,310 --> 00:22:27,411 And unfortunately, it's abou noon here in the middle east 440 00:22:27,413 --> 00:22:29,213 This is weird. Here we go. 441 00:22:29,215 --> 00:22:30,614 Okay. 442 00:22:30,616 --> 00:22:32,817 -Hi. How are you? -Hi. 443 00:22:32,819 --> 00:22:35,953 -Okay, how are you? -I'm, I'm good. I'm good. 444 00:22:36,022 --> 00:22:38,823 Well, here we are, just a couple guys under 445 00:22:38,825 --> 00:22:41,325 A heavy cloth in the middle of the desert. 446 00:22:41,327 --> 00:22:43,527 Really breathes in here. 447 00:22:43,529 --> 00:22:45,329 Why are you taking your pants off? 448 00:22:45,331 --> 00:22:46,597 -Just kidding. -[laughs] 449 00:22:46,599 --> 00:22:47,865 Okay, so... 450 00:22:48,935 --> 00:22:50,301 So, okay, what's our plan? 451 00:22:50,303 --> 00:22:52,036 -We're gonna scrape some soil here? -Yes. 452 00:22:52,038 --> 00:22:54,338 So do we just start on the wall here, what do we do? 453 00:22:54,407 --> 00:22:56,640 First, I have to make a clean cut. 454 00:22:56,709 --> 00:22:58,809 To soil that has not been exposed to the air. 455 00:23:01,748 --> 00:23:04,348 For comparison, oren collects samples from near 456 00:23:04,450 --> 00:23:05,782 The surface layer, 457 00:23:05,784 --> 00:23:08,219 Then the iron age and finally deeper in the earth 458 00:23:08,221 --> 00:23:10,354 And what we hope is the bronze age. 459 00:23:11,124 --> 00:23:12,556 All right, we've got our samples. 460 00:23:12,625 --> 00:23:13,858 Whoo! 461 00:23:13,926 --> 00:23:15,960 Tell you one thing, pretty, pretty warm in here. 462 00:23:16,061 --> 00:23:17,962 -Yes. -Time to go into the light? 463 00:23:18,063 --> 00:23:20,064 -Time to go to the light. -Let's go into the light. 464 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:23,033 [grunts] okay. 465 00:23:23,035 --> 00:23:24,668 Whoo. 466 00:23:24,770 --> 00:23:28,205 Samples safely in hand, we bring them to a light-shielded tent 467 00:23:28,207 --> 00:23:30,508 Where the machine can count their photons. 468 00:23:31,377 --> 00:23:33,344 [oren] open the drawer. 469 00:23:33,413 --> 00:23:35,646 And put the sample into the slot here. 470 00:23:35,715 --> 00:23:36,714 Uh-huh. 471 00:23:37,150 --> 00:23:38,249 Close it. 472 00:23:38,350 --> 00:23:40,851 First, top layer. 473 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:43,020 -Okay. -And we run the first sample. 474 00:23:43,022 --> 00:23:44,221 Here we go. 475 00:23:45,324 --> 00:23:48,526 In short order, we process every sample we collected. 476 00:23:48,528 --> 00:23:51,228 Thankfully, the computer doesn't need to work for lon 477 00:23:52,832 --> 00:23:54,832 -Okay, we have results. -Okay. 478 00:23:54,901 --> 00:23:57,601 -So what are we looking at here? -For each layer, we have 479 00:23:57,603 --> 00:23:58,736 A photon counts. 480 00:23:58,805 --> 00:24:00,905 So for the top layer close to the surface, 481 00:24:00,907 --> 00:24:03,441 Photon count is 3902. 482 00:24:03,509 --> 00:24:06,644 -The transition. -And then we jump way down 483 00:24:06,745 --> 00:24:09,246 -To the iron age where the number's way higher. -Yes. 484 00:24:09,315 --> 00:24:12,049 We have 30,036. 485 00:24:12,118 --> 00:24:13,317 -Yes. -Way above. 486 00:24:13,319 --> 00:24:15,119 -And if you go deeper. -Bronze age. 487 00:24:15,121 --> 00:24:16,253 -Yes. -We have a signal 488 00:24:16,355 --> 00:24:20,591 All the way up to 83,205 photons. 489 00:24:20,593 --> 00:24:23,127 -So we have middle bronze age. -We have middle bronze age 490 00:24:23,129 --> 00:24:27,064 -In this site. -And soil that emits over 80,000 photons 491 00:24:27,066 --> 00:24:28,599 Should be from the bronze age. 492 00:24:28,601 --> 00:24:29,933 Absolutely. 493 00:24:29,935 --> 00:24:32,603 If we find material with this signal, we are in the money. 494 00:24:32,605 --> 00:24:35,506 We're in the money. Okay, bronze age. 495 00:24:35,508 --> 00:24:36,707 Let's look. 496 00:24:38,044 --> 00:24:40,711 Now that we know exactly in which layer to dig, 497 00:24:40,713 --> 00:24:43,214 I linked back up with david and his team. 498 00:24:44,717 --> 00:24:48,319 We begin excavating below the iron age structures in the soil 499 00:24:48,321 --> 00:24:52,223 That has now been identifie as coming from the bronze ag 500 00:24:52,225 --> 00:24:55,626 It's meticulous dusty work, but at least I'm not doing I 501 00:24:55,628 --> 00:24:57,161 Under a black tarp. 502 00:24:57,163 --> 00:25:00,130 And it doesn't take long for david to uncover something. 503 00:25:00,132 --> 00:25:01,899 -Hey, josh. -Did you find something? 504 00:25:01,901 --> 00:25:03,033 Yeah. 505 00:25:03,035 --> 00:25:05,135 -What'd you find? -Look at this. 506 00:25:05,237 --> 00:25:07,738 Oh, my word. 507 00:25:13,813 --> 00:25:15,513 Hey, josh, look at this. 508 00:25:16,949 --> 00:25:19,550 -Ooh, it's a vessel. -Yeah, it's a vessel lying on the floor. 509 00:25:19,652 --> 00:25:21,519 -Big piece here. -Yeah, big pieces. 510 00:25:21,521 --> 00:25:22,753 And here and then a couple of shards. 511 00:25:22,855 --> 00:25:23,987 Look at this. 512 00:25:23,989 --> 00:25:26,023 In the hills of the palestinian territories 513 00:25:26,025 --> 00:25:29,426 I'm working with a team to see if we can find bronze age relics 514 00:25:29,428 --> 00:25:33,063 That might coincide with the era of moses and the exodus. 515 00:25:33,766 --> 00:25:35,533 Look at this. 516 00:25:35,634 --> 00:25:36,934 So we've got the rim here? 517 00:25:36,936 --> 00:25:38,836 -It's the rim of a little jar. Yeah. -Uh-huh. 518 00:25:38,905 --> 00:25:42,640 The shape of this rim is typical of the middle bronze age. 519 00:25:42,642 --> 00:25:44,942 -This is middle bronze age? -Yeah, it's not iron age. 520 00:25:45,011 --> 00:25:46,376 -Really? -Yes. 521 00:25:47,547 --> 00:25:50,548 The design of this pottery and the soil we found it in 522 00:25:50,616 --> 00:25:52,716 Puts this squarely in the bronze age 523 00:25:52,718 --> 00:25:56,820 Within a few 100 years of the purported timeline of moses. 524 00:25:56,822 --> 00:25:59,857 This is the first bronze ag item of its kind found here 525 00:25:59,959 --> 00:26:02,092 At el-mastarah and perhaps a sign 526 00:26:02,094 --> 00:26:05,529 That a settlement existed he before the iron age. 527 00:26:05,531 --> 00:26:09,333 If more evidence can be foun that nomadic people came into this land 528 00:26:09,435 --> 00:26:13,203 And settled here, it would a credence to the events of exodus. 529 00:26:13,205 --> 00:26:15,539 -So let me know what you find next, all right? -Will do. 530 00:26:15,608 --> 00:26:16,907 Thank you so much. 531 00:26:16,976 --> 00:26:20,110 I thank david and his team before moving on to a locati 532 00:26:20,112 --> 00:26:23,514 In israel that might produc evidence to support another part 533 00:26:23,516 --> 00:26:25,115 Of moses story. 534 00:26:25,117 --> 00:26:28,052 And for once, I won't be digging through sand. 535 00:26:28,054 --> 00:26:30,321 Welcome to the sea of galilee. 536 00:26:30,323 --> 00:26:32,957 This is israel's largest source of fresh water 537 00:26:32,959 --> 00:26:35,559 And it's 686 feet below sea level. 538 00:26:35,595 --> 00:26:38,562 It's actually the lowest freshwater lake on earth. 539 00:26:38,664 --> 00:26:40,698 It's also where the christian gospels say that 540 00:26:40,700 --> 00:26:42,600 Jesus preached to the multitudes, 541 00:26:42,602 --> 00:26:46,036 Fed the 5,000 and, you know, walked on water. 542 00:26:46,138 --> 00:26:47,905 But that's a different testament. 543 00:26:47,907 --> 00:26:51,342 We are here looking for evidence that is much, much older. 544 00:26:51,443 --> 00:26:53,844 And there are two scientists nearby who believe 545 00:26:53,913 --> 00:26:55,512 They may have found it. 546 00:26:58,918 --> 00:27:02,453 Investigating a mysterious formation in this legendary lake, 547 00:27:02,554 --> 00:27:05,422 Are geosciences professor dr. Michael freikman, 548 00:27:05,424 --> 00:27:08,192 And dr. Shmulik marco, an archaeologist 549 00:27:08,194 --> 00:27:10,127 And geophysicist. 550 00:27:10,129 --> 00:27:11,662 Welcome to the sea of galilee. 551 00:27:11,764 --> 00:27:13,230 -A beautiful place to be. -Yeah. 552 00:27:13,232 --> 00:27:15,232 Absolutely incred-- very historic place. 553 00:27:15,334 --> 00:27:19,103 Have you ever heard of an object called well of miriam? 554 00:27:19,105 --> 00:27:20,704 Yes, I've heard of the well of miriam, 555 00:27:20,706 --> 00:27:22,606 Although I'm not totally sure I understand it. 556 00:27:22,608 --> 00:27:26,043 It's supposed to be like a stone of some kind, right? 557 00:27:26,145 --> 00:27:28,712 That provides water to moses and the israelites. 558 00:27:28,714 --> 00:27:30,447 It's like a mobile spring. 559 00:27:30,549 --> 00:27:32,116 It's following the people of israel 560 00:27:32,118 --> 00:27:35,452 Or it just emerges everywhere they stop, but it's always there, 561 00:27:35,521 --> 00:27:37,554 And it's always providing them with water. 562 00:27:39,058 --> 00:27:41,091 As the israelites first ente the desert, 563 00:27:41,093 --> 00:27:43,727 God tells moses to strike a particular rock 564 00:27:43,729 --> 00:27:45,261 With his staff. 565 00:27:46,766 --> 00:27:50,601 And one miracle later, fresh water pours from the stone. 566 00:27:51,604 --> 00:27:54,138 It is later referred to as miriam's well 567 00:27:54,206 --> 00:27:56,006 Named after moses' sister. 568 00:27:58,611 --> 00:28:00,611 As the israelites wander the desert, 569 00:28:00,613 --> 00:28:03,113 Miriam's well appears whenev they need it, 570 00:28:03,115 --> 00:28:06,250 Sustaining the faithful and ensuring that they will make it 571 00:28:06,351 --> 00:28:08,018 To the promised land. 572 00:28:08,020 --> 00:28:09,386 And what happens to it? 573 00:28:09,388 --> 00:28:13,123 The later sources say, whilst the israelites come into 574 00:28:13,125 --> 00:28:15,626 The promised land, the well sunk in the water. 575 00:28:15,628 --> 00:28:17,194 -Okay. -The question is, 576 00:28:17,196 --> 00:28:19,630 Where did this miraculous stone submerge? 577 00:28:19,632 --> 00:28:22,232 The sacred jewish writings of the talmud provide 578 00:28:22,334 --> 00:28:24,001 A tantalizing clue. 579 00:28:37,049 --> 00:28:40,651 And the sea of tiberias is the old name for the sea of galilee, 580 00:28:40,719 --> 00:28:41,918 -Correct? -That's correct. 581 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:44,621 The rabbinical writings also describe a sick man 582 00:28:44,623 --> 00:28:48,058 Who was healed by the well of miriam in the sea of galilee. 583 00:28:48,127 --> 00:28:50,360 Another source places this round object 584 00:28:50,396 --> 00:28:54,965 Not far from the shore, about midway up the sea's coast. 585 00:28:55,033 --> 00:28:57,801 Okay, so we have a connection between this story from exodus 586 00:28:57,803 --> 00:28:58,902 -And this location? -Yes. 587 00:29:07,446 --> 00:29:08,512 Right. 588 00:29:14,120 --> 00:29:15,452 Does it happen to be round? 589 00:29:21,060 --> 00:29:22,059 Can you show me where it is? 590 00:29:23,395 --> 00:29:24,461 Please. 591 00:29:29,201 --> 00:29:31,001 We set off in a research vessel 592 00:29:31,003 --> 00:29:34,037 And support boat and steam o into the sea of galilee 593 00:29:34,039 --> 00:29:36,940 Using gps coordinates and onboard sonar 594 00:29:37,009 --> 00:29:38,942 To locate the unknown structure. 595 00:29:45,551 --> 00:29:47,484 Come on, josh, we're approaching the site. 596 00:29:47,486 --> 00:29:50,020 In a second, we're gonna be able to see it on the sonar. 597 00:29:50,022 --> 00:29:54,224 Okay, so right now we've just got flat bottom? 598 00:29:55,161 --> 00:29:56,627 -Oh. -Oh, this... 599 00:29:56,629 --> 00:29:59,363 -[man] here we are. -[josh] wow, look at that. 600 00:29:59,431 --> 00:30:01,598 Huge sonar return. 601 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:03,500 I mean, there's nothing down there 602 00:30:03,502 --> 00:30:05,536 And then out of nowhere, suddenly, 603 00:30:05,637 --> 00:30:07,905 Something's 15 feet underneath us. 604 00:30:07,907 --> 00:30:09,106 So, what is that? 605 00:30:09,108 --> 00:30:11,508 Well, we have to get in the water to see that. 606 00:30:11,510 --> 00:30:13,343 -In the water? -In the water. 607 00:30:13,412 --> 00:30:15,112 -The water is warm, though, right? -No. 608 00:30:15,114 --> 00:30:16,947 -Yeah. -[chuckles] 609 00:30:17,016 --> 00:30:18,115 Okay, great. 610 00:30:18,117 --> 00:30:19,950 Let's try to stay positive, guys, come on. 611 00:30:21,453 --> 00:30:24,922 Visibility in the sea of galilee is notoriously ba 612 00:30:24,924 --> 00:30:28,926 So we throw over a shot lin to follow to the bottom. 613 00:30:28,928 --> 00:30:32,496 Then mike and I suit up to look for evidence of miriam's well 614 00:30:32,498 --> 00:30:34,965 By diving into some very chilly water. 615 00:30:37,002 --> 00:30:39,703 Top side, shmulik will monit communications 616 00:30:39,705 --> 00:30:41,205 As we explore the anomaly. 617 00:30:49,849 --> 00:30:51,615 [shmulik speaking] 618 00:30:53,219 --> 00:30:54,918 [josh speaking] 619 00:31:02,228 --> 00:31:06,330 The algae makes it difficul to see as we descend toward our target. 620 00:31:07,499 --> 00:31:08,799 Until... 621 00:31:25,351 --> 00:31:29,152 Josh, try to see if you see any arrangement of the stones. 622 00:31:42,101 --> 00:31:43,800 [shmulik speaking] 623 00:31:43,802 --> 00:31:45,302 [josh speaking] 624 00:31:47,039 --> 00:31:48,538 [shmulik speaking] 625 00:32:34,153 --> 00:32:36,820 The algae and clouds of disturbed silt reduce 626 00:32:36,822 --> 00:32:40,090 Our visibility to the point that any interior exploratio 627 00:32:40,092 --> 00:32:41,825 Of the pile is futile. 628 00:32:41,827 --> 00:32:44,628 We therefore ascend to the surface to regroup. 629 00:32:47,433 --> 00:32:48,832 Good to see you. 630 00:32:48,901 --> 00:32:51,401 Whoo, I mean... 631 00:32:51,403 --> 00:32:53,036 Really incredible down there. 632 00:32:53,038 --> 00:32:55,839 So did you see any formation, any arrangement? 633 00:32:55,941 --> 00:32:59,109 There are areas where it almost seems like it's in tiers. 634 00:32:59,111 --> 00:33:01,745 The frustrating part is you can't see very much. 635 00:33:01,847 --> 00:33:03,113 The visibility is so bad, 636 00:33:03,115 --> 00:33:05,916 You can only really take it in a few feet at a time. 637 00:33:05,918 --> 00:33:07,217 I wish I could see more of it. 638 00:33:07,219 --> 00:33:08,652 Yeah, maybe we can. 639 00:33:09,121 --> 00:33:10,119 How? 640 00:33:11,223 --> 00:33:12,956 To tackle our visibility problem, 641 00:33:13,025 --> 00:33:15,225 I climbed back aboard and dry off. 642 00:33:15,227 --> 00:33:17,661 Shmulik has arranged a high tech solution 643 00:33:17,730 --> 00:33:20,330 To get a clearer picture of whatever's beneath us. 644 00:33:20,899 --> 00:33:22,099 -Hello. -Hi. 645 00:33:22,101 --> 00:33:23,934 -Josh. I'd like you to meet mor. -Hi. 646 00:33:23,936 --> 00:33:26,003 Mor, nice to meet you. Okay, so... 647 00:33:26,005 --> 00:33:27,337 What are we going to do here? 648 00:33:27,439 --> 00:33:30,107 Here, mor is going to operate the air gun. 649 00:33:30,109 --> 00:33:31,608 I'm sorry? The air gun? 650 00:33:31,610 --> 00:33:32,609 -Yeah, air gun. -That's this? 651 00:33:32,611 --> 00:33:33,810 That's the air gun. 652 00:33:33,812 --> 00:33:35,445 [josh] okay, I'm not familiar with this device. 653 00:33:35,514 --> 00:33:37,647 -What? How does this work? -We don't shoot people with it. 654 00:33:37,749 --> 00:33:39,416 That's good news. All right. 655 00:33:39,418 --> 00:33:42,352 But we do use it to shoot seismic surveys. 656 00:33:42,421 --> 00:33:45,255 This generates the acoustic sound 657 00:33:45,323 --> 00:33:47,824 That travels through the water into the seafloor 658 00:33:47,826 --> 00:33:51,128 And back to the recorder on the other side. 659 00:33:51,130 --> 00:33:54,564 We are using that as our data to image our object. 660 00:33:54,633 --> 00:33:57,601 Try to imagine, like, ultrasound for younger babies, 661 00:33:57,603 --> 00:33:58,835 That will be the same. 662 00:33:58,937 --> 00:34:00,303 [josh] got it, okay. 663 00:34:01,306 --> 00:34:03,039 [hissing] 664 00:34:03,041 --> 00:34:06,309 The air guns are pressurize before being lowered into position. 665 00:34:11,050 --> 00:34:12,716 It's one meter... 666 00:34:15,721 --> 00:34:19,222 -Two meters. -And then it's time to rock 667 00:34:19,224 --> 00:34:21,725 -Okay, we are in position. -In position, ready to echo. 668 00:34:21,727 --> 00:34:24,628 The seismic air gun is prime and ready to go. 669 00:34:24,630 --> 00:34:26,396 We're either about to make history 670 00:34:26,398 --> 00:34:28,698 Or blow our boat into a million pieces. 671 00:34:28,700 --> 00:34:30,033 -May I? -Yeah. 672 00:34:30,436 --> 00:34:31,635 Fire! 673 00:34:31,703 --> 00:34:33,036 [explosion] 674 00:34:38,710 --> 00:34:39,709 Ready to echo it. 675 00:34:39,711 --> 00:34:40,610 May I? 676 00:34:40,612 --> 00:34:41,944 Fire! 677 00:34:45,951 --> 00:34:49,653 Yes! I didn't know collecting data could be this much fun. 678 00:34:49,655 --> 00:34:52,622 We're dropping a seismic air gun in the sea of galile 679 00:34:52,724 --> 00:34:55,792 To scan an underwater anomal that could be connected 680 00:34:55,794 --> 00:34:58,695 To the biblical legend known as miriam's well, 681 00:34:58,697 --> 00:35:02,332 Providing a historical link to the story of exodus. 682 00:35:02,801 --> 00:35:04,167 I like this. 683 00:35:04,169 --> 00:35:05,969 Okay, fire it again! 684 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:11,875 To get a clear digital pictu of what lies in the murky waters below, 685 00:35:11,877 --> 00:35:13,610 We do this again... 686 00:35:13,712 --> 00:35:14,945 Fire! 687 00:35:15,547 --> 00:35:16,713 ...And again... 688 00:35:16,715 --> 00:35:17,814 Fire! 689 00:35:18,517 --> 00:35:19,549 ...And again. 690 00:35:19,551 --> 00:35:20,850 Fire it again. 691 00:35:23,722 --> 00:35:26,890 A total of eight charges are set off in a circle arou 692 00:35:26,892 --> 00:35:29,192 The anomaly we found in the sea below. 693 00:35:30,229 --> 00:35:32,929 This seismic survey of the area has generated 694 00:35:32,931 --> 00:35:36,066 Enough data to form a 3d ima on a computer. 695 00:35:42,407 --> 00:35:43,406 Right. 696 00:35:55,420 --> 00:35:57,721 Oh, it continues under the sediment here? 697 00:35:59,358 --> 00:36:00,423 Wow. 698 00:36:04,096 --> 00:36:05,095 Right. 699 00:36:14,106 --> 00:36:15,772 So we're in the bronze age here. 700 00:36:15,774 --> 00:36:19,109 In terms of our exodus story, we're in the neighborhood. 701 00:36:19,111 --> 00:36:21,878 Okay, so if we take a look at our final product 702 00:36:21,880 --> 00:36:23,413 Of the, of the imaging, 703 00:36:23,415 --> 00:36:27,817 We can see that this image is three dimensional, 704 00:36:27,919 --> 00:36:31,521 It's been crossed in different profiles in different angles. 705 00:36:31,523 --> 00:36:33,123 [josh] oh, that is unbelievable. Look at that. 706 00:36:33,191 --> 00:36:36,059 Now you can look at a three dimensional image 707 00:36:36,061 --> 00:36:37,694 -Of the structure. -Look at the size of it, 708 00:36:37,696 --> 00:36:38,562 -It's huge. -Yeah. 709 00:36:38,630 --> 00:36:40,830 It has to be artificial. 710 00:36:40,866 --> 00:36:44,968 Somebody had to bring this huge boulders of basalt, 711 00:36:44,970 --> 00:36:46,970 -Right. -And put them one on top of the other. 712 00:36:46,972 --> 00:36:49,406 It never happens naturally. 713 00:36:49,408 --> 00:36:51,708 [josh] there's no question this was constructed. 714 00:36:51,710 --> 00:36:54,511 It's just such an oddity on the sea floor. 715 00:36:54,513 --> 00:36:57,614 And it does not match the topography of the seafloor, so... 716 00:36:57,616 --> 00:37:01,184 -Right. -This is also supporting the possibility that 717 00:37:01,186 --> 00:37:04,054 It was built and leveled by someone. 718 00:37:04,923 --> 00:37:06,890 [josh] so we have this jerusalem talmud 719 00:37:06,892 --> 00:37:09,292 That says that you could look down into the sea of galilee 720 00:37:09,294 --> 00:37:11,061 And see this, this bump. 721 00:37:11,063 --> 00:37:14,164 Is there anything else like this that rises up out of the lake here? 722 00:37:14,166 --> 00:37:17,934 No, that's the only place that we know of. 723 00:37:17,936 --> 00:37:21,204 This mysterious manmade structure is the only thing 724 00:37:21,206 --> 00:37:23,173 Like it in the sea of galile 725 00:37:23,175 --> 00:37:26,409 And it matches the location of where miriam's well 726 00:37:26,411 --> 00:37:28,311 Was said to have been interred. 727 00:37:28,313 --> 00:37:31,715 So the million dollar question, what the hell is this thing? 728 00:37:39,791 --> 00:37:42,826 So is it possible then that there's something inside of this? 729 00:37:44,963 --> 00:37:46,997 I mean, it will be hugely significant, right? 730 00:37:46,999 --> 00:37:50,400 Exactly, it would be the only one untouched tomb 731 00:37:50,402 --> 00:37:52,502 Of this kind in this region. 732 00:37:52,504 --> 00:37:55,305 Right. Obviously, this isn't a magic rock 733 00:37:55,307 --> 00:37:57,207 That followed the israelites through the desert. 734 00:37:57,209 --> 00:37:59,876 But, you know, is it possible that this is connected 735 00:37:59,878 --> 00:38:01,411 To the story of exodus? 736 00:38:01,413 --> 00:38:04,714 Well, in general, religions are known for 737 00:38:04,716 --> 00:38:07,083 Incorporating the unique landscape features 738 00:38:07,085 --> 00:38:09,352 Into their own oral tradition. 739 00:38:09,454 --> 00:38:11,955 Right, but you could see how something like this 740 00:38:11,957 --> 00:38:13,823 Could become the well of marian, 741 00:38:13,825 --> 00:38:17,027 Something dry that then is consumed by water? 742 00:38:17,029 --> 00:38:19,162 It is definitely a possibility. 743 00:38:19,164 --> 00:38:21,698 The next step will be to investigate exactly 744 00:38:21,700 --> 00:38:23,700 What lies inside the structure, 745 00:38:23,769 --> 00:38:26,202 Which will be an arduous undertaking. 746 00:38:26,204 --> 00:38:28,505 For now though, I'll settle for the amazement 747 00:38:28,507 --> 00:38:31,441 Of imaging this most mysterious object. 748 00:38:31,510 --> 00:38:33,510 There's much work to be done. 749 00:38:33,512 --> 00:38:36,212 This is just the beginning of the story. 750 00:38:36,214 --> 00:38:40,417 The story of miriam's well is both miraculous and tragi 751 00:38:40,419 --> 00:38:42,952 Because shortly before reaching the promised land, 752 00:38:42,954 --> 00:38:46,523 Miriam dies and her namesak well runs dry. 753 00:38:48,160 --> 00:38:52,729 To restore it, god tells mos not to strike the rock as he did before, 754 00:38:52,831 --> 00:38:55,131 But to speak holy words instead. 755 00:38:56,301 --> 00:38:58,868 Yet, when the panicked and thirsty israelites 756 00:38:58,870 --> 00:39:01,805 Angrily demand that moses tu the water back on, 757 00:39:01,906 --> 00:39:05,709 Moses defies god by striking the rock with his staff. 758 00:39:08,213 --> 00:39:11,314 The water comes, but with grave consequences 759 00:39:12,551 --> 00:39:15,885 For his pride and insolence god punishes moses 760 00:39:15,887 --> 00:39:18,221 By forbidding him from entering the holy land 761 00:39:18,223 --> 00:39:19,489 With his people. 762 00:39:19,491 --> 00:39:21,825 They will cross the jordan river into canaan 763 00:39:21,926 --> 00:39:26,262 But first moses will die 120 years old. 764 00:39:28,333 --> 00:39:31,534 And it's this final part of his story that's in my he 765 00:39:31,603 --> 00:39:34,304 As I set off back into the desert. 766 00:39:34,306 --> 00:39:37,507 I have a nagging question about the exodus story. 767 00:39:37,509 --> 00:39:39,943 And, you know, something that would really help 768 00:39:39,945 --> 00:39:42,512 To cement this as an historical event 769 00:39:42,514 --> 00:39:45,715 Would be to find the body of moses himself. 770 00:39:45,817 --> 00:39:48,017 After all, someone this significant 771 00:39:48,019 --> 00:39:51,421 Must have been buried with some real pomp and circumstance. 772 00:39:51,423 --> 00:39:55,525 So I just have one question, where's moses? 773 00:39:55,527 --> 00:39:58,428 Turns out there's more than one answer to that question 774 00:39:58,430 --> 00:40:01,798 To learn why, I'm headed back to the palestinian territories 775 00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:04,901 Here in the rolling and empty hills of the west bank, 776 00:40:04,903 --> 00:40:07,670 An unlikely sight emerges in the distance. 777 00:40:09,841 --> 00:40:13,076 A huge walled compound called nabi musa, 778 00:40:13,078 --> 00:40:15,812 Which translates to the prophet moses. 779 00:40:19,317 --> 00:40:21,251 Here to greet me is archaeologist 780 00:40:21,352 --> 00:40:24,921 And islamic studies professor tawfiq da'adli. 781 00:40:24,923 --> 00:40:27,223 Thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. 782 00:40:27,225 --> 00:40:28,792 -This is spectacular. -Yeah. 783 00:40:28,794 --> 00:40:31,928 I have questions about the e of the story of moses. 784 00:40:31,930 --> 00:40:35,031 So, okay, if there is a historical moses, 785 00:40:35,033 --> 00:40:37,801 Where is this guy? I mean, where was he buried? 786 00:40:37,902 --> 00:40:40,069 According to the biblical tradition, 787 00:40:40,071 --> 00:40:42,539 He ended on the other side of the valley. 788 00:40:42,574 --> 00:40:44,774 -And he dies where? -At mount nebo. 789 00:40:44,776 --> 00:40:48,111 Mount nebo, so, literally just across the way there? 790 00:40:48,113 --> 00:40:50,713 Across the dead sea in what is now jordan 791 00:40:50,715 --> 00:40:52,081 Sits mount nebo. 792 00:40:52,083 --> 00:40:55,118 This place has been associat with the burial of moses 793 00:40:55,120 --> 00:40:56,953 Since at least the fourth century, 794 00:40:56,955 --> 00:40:58,988 When a church was built here 795 00:40:58,990 --> 00:41:01,558 So over at mount nebo, archaeologically, 796 00:41:01,659 --> 00:41:03,059 Do we have evidence for this burial? 797 00:41:03,061 --> 00:41:04,360 -No hard evidence. -Okay. 798 00:41:04,462 --> 00:41:06,262 -There's also another story. -Uh-huh. 799 00:41:06,331 --> 00:41:07,564 Islamic tradition. 800 00:41:07,632 --> 00:41:09,766 Moses is mentioned a lot in the quran. 801 00:41:09,768 --> 00:41:13,036 Yeah, you have more than 130 times his name 802 00:41:13,038 --> 00:41:16,873 Is mentioned in the quran, more than any other prophet. 803 00:41:16,875 --> 00:41:20,109 According to this tradition, moses did cross the river 804 00:41:20,211 --> 00:41:23,313 And he ended in this side, like, where we are standing. 805 00:41:23,315 --> 00:41:26,449 The prophet muhammad ascended to heaven from jerusalem, 806 00:41:26,518 --> 00:41:27,817 Which is not so far from here. 807 00:41:27,819 --> 00:41:30,420 -Yes, the dome of the rock. -The dome of the rock. Yes. 808 00:41:30,422 --> 00:41:32,322 So, when he ascended to heaven, 809 00:41:32,324 --> 00:41:36,926 In his way, he said, I saw moses praying on his dome 810 00:41:36,928 --> 00:41:39,028 And the dome is believed to be here. 811 00:41:39,030 --> 00:41:41,364 -On this side of the jordan river? -Yeah. 812 00:41:41,432 --> 00:41:44,100 Uh-huh, so we have one tradition over there 813 00:41:44,102 --> 00:41:45,602 -And one tradition over here. -Yeah. 814 00:41:45,604 --> 00:41:48,771 What evidence is there here? What, what is at this site? 815 00:41:48,773 --> 00:41:51,341 Here, this site, we have the tomb of moses. 816 00:41:51,442 --> 00:41:52,809 -There's a tomb here? -Yeah. 817 00:41:52,911 --> 00:41:54,210 -Of moses? -Yes. 818 00:41:55,213 --> 00:41:56,312 Can we see it? 819 00:42:02,521 --> 00:42:05,221 I'm here in the west bank and this barrier separates 820 00:42:05,223 --> 00:42:08,057 Israel from the palestinian territories over here. 821 00:42:08,059 --> 00:42:10,827 Now, you've all heard of the waldorf hotel? 822 00:42:10,829 --> 00:42:14,597 Well, this isn't it. This is the walled off hotel. 823 00:42:14,599 --> 00:42:17,500 The entire hotel is a living work of art. 824 00:42:17,502 --> 00:42:19,969 A collaboration between local palestinians 825 00:42:19,971 --> 00:42:23,706 And the enigmatic anonymous british street artist banksy 826 00:42:24,309 --> 00:42:25,608 Welcome, sir. 827 00:42:25,610 --> 00:42:26,609 Are you banksy? 828 00:42:26,611 --> 00:42:29,312 -No. -Wink, wink if you're banksy. 829 00:42:29,314 --> 00:42:31,714 Mor than 70 pieces of banksy's work 830 00:42:31,716 --> 00:42:34,117 Offer whimsical and searing commentary 831 00:42:34,119 --> 00:42:35,985 On the tumultuous state of the region. 832 00:42:36,955 --> 00:42:39,522 A not so secret passage through a bookcase 833 00:42:39,524 --> 00:42:41,291 Leads the way to the guest rooms, 834 00:42:41,293 --> 00:42:44,294 And of course, more art to ponder. 835 00:42:44,296 --> 00:42:46,529 And the rooms are lavishly decorated 836 00:42:46,531 --> 00:42:49,332 In that provocative banksy style. 837 00:42:49,334 --> 00:42:50,867 Here in the presidential suite, 838 00:42:50,869 --> 00:42:55,071 The hotel proudly advertises the worst view in the world. 839 00:42:55,073 --> 00:42:59,309 All while offering us a vision of a future without walls. 840 00:43:03,815 --> 00:43:05,214 -There's a tomb here... -Yeah. 841 00:43:05,283 --> 00:43:06,783 -Of moses? -Yes. 842 00:43:07,719 --> 00:43:10,320 -Can we see it? -Yeah, it's downstairs. 843 00:43:10,421 --> 00:43:12,622 Please. Here we go. 844 00:43:12,724 --> 00:43:15,959 To answer the question of where the prophet moses is buried, 845 00:43:15,961 --> 00:43:18,094 I've come to the palestinian territories 846 00:43:18,096 --> 00:43:20,229 To visit a site called nabi musa 847 00:43:20,231 --> 00:43:23,399 And what the islamic faith contends is his tomb. 848 00:43:24,603 --> 00:43:26,102 Okay, josh. 849 00:43:26,104 --> 00:43:27,604 Here we have the mosque. 850 00:43:27,672 --> 00:43:28,504 Wow. 851 00:43:30,609 --> 00:43:33,209 And here we have the tomb. 852 00:43:33,211 --> 00:43:35,411 -Tomb of moses? -Yes. Here. 853 00:43:35,546 --> 00:43:36,813 Please. 854 00:43:41,086 --> 00:43:42,218 Wow. 855 00:43:43,421 --> 00:43:45,221 -So this is the burial? -Yeah. 856 00:43:45,289 --> 00:43:48,124 When can we date all of this to? 857 00:43:48,226 --> 00:43:50,326 This is the oldest part of the site 858 00:43:50,328 --> 00:43:53,229 And near the entrance to this mausoleum, 859 00:43:53,231 --> 00:43:55,632 There is an inscription from the 13th century 860 00:43:55,700 --> 00:43:59,602 And we have the date. It's 1269. 861 00:43:59,704 --> 00:44:01,604 So, the 13th century we're talking about, 862 00:44:01,706 --> 00:44:04,941 -A few thousand years after the life of moses. -Yeah. 863 00:44:04,943 --> 00:44:07,610 -Yes. -So do we have any indication 864 00:44:07,712 --> 00:44:11,180 Of what was in this spot before the building was here? 865 00:44:11,182 --> 00:44:12,715 There are written evidences 866 00:44:12,717 --> 00:44:16,019 Earlier than the 13th century, but not much earlier... 867 00:44:16,021 --> 00:44:18,788 -Okay. -...Mentioning the tomb of moses in this area. 868 00:44:18,790 --> 00:44:19,822 But nothing earlier than that? 869 00:44:19,891 --> 00:44:21,624 Something that you can touch, though. 870 00:44:21,626 --> 00:44:23,960 Right, maybe an oral tradition, but it's been lost to history. 871 00:44:23,962 --> 00:44:25,328 -Yes. -Okay, 872 00:44:25,430 --> 00:44:28,498 So do we know who's inside this? 873 00:44:28,500 --> 00:44:30,266 This was moses' tomb. 874 00:44:30,268 --> 00:44:32,802 It's relying on muslim traditions 875 00:44:32,904 --> 00:44:35,171 And then they pointed on this place. 876 00:44:35,173 --> 00:44:37,807 -And since this 13th century point, -right. 877 00:44:37,876 --> 00:44:41,711 It became a whole compound not only the mausoleum 878 00:44:41,713 --> 00:44:42,812 And the mosque, 879 00:44:42,814 --> 00:44:45,715 It became like a caravanserai, what we call a clan, 880 00:44:45,750 --> 00:44:49,452 Like, people will come and stay for a few days. 881 00:44:49,521 --> 00:44:52,522 -They will have food. -So it became like a pilgrimage site? 882 00:44:52,524 --> 00:44:54,090 -Yeah. -And what about today? 883 00:44:54,092 --> 00:44:55,725 Do people still pilgrimage here? 884 00:44:55,794 --> 00:44:56,926 Do people still come here? 885 00:44:56,928 --> 00:44:59,829 Yeah, even from indonesia, even from india, 886 00:44:59,898 --> 00:45:02,665 These people still believe this is the tomb of nabi musa. 887 00:45:02,667 --> 00:45:05,168 Has this ever been opened? Examined? 888 00:45:06,404 --> 00:45:07,570 It's religion. 889 00:45:07,671 --> 00:45:11,040 You don't mix religion with science and excavations, 890 00:45:11,042 --> 00:45:12,709 Especially in the holy land. 891 00:45:12,810 --> 00:45:14,210 So as an archaeologist, 892 00:45:14,312 --> 00:45:16,713 This is one of the great challenges 893 00:45:16,715 --> 00:45:19,682 Is how to look at the stories of the bible, 894 00:45:19,684 --> 00:45:23,119 The stories of the quran and places like this, 895 00:45:23,121 --> 00:45:26,522 And find that intersection between faith and history 896 00:45:26,524 --> 00:45:28,391 And archaeology. 897 00:45:28,393 --> 00:45:30,693 Because we don't really know what's here. 898 00:45:30,695 --> 00:45:32,128 -Yeah. -But, spiritually, 899 00:45:32,197 --> 00:45:36,365 It's a place that's true for so many people. 900 00:45:36,367 --> 00:45:39,602 And how do we square that off, because we're never going 901 00:45:39,604 --> 00:45:40,870 To be able to open this. 902 00:45:40,872 --> 00:45:43,806 We don't need to open that, like, we have the inscriptions 903 00:45:43,808 --> 00:45:45,108 Around the building. 904 00:45:45,110 --> 00:45:47,310 So it's a different kind of archaeology. 905 00:45:47,411 --> 00:45:50,413 -You read the buildings, you don't have to go down -right. 906 00:45:50,415 --> 00:45:54,050 And dig the place to see or meet the person 907 00:45:54,052 --> 00:45:55,084 Who is buried here. 908 00:45:55,086 --> 00:45:57,120 For us, you have to accept it. 909 00:45:57,122 --> 00:46:00,623 Even for archaeologists, some things have to be left to faith. 910 00:46:00,725 --> 00:46:02,725 You can't turn over every stone, 911 00:46:02,794 --> 00:46:05,528 You have to accept some traditions, some beliefs. 912 00:46:05,530 --> 00:46:08,264 By asking to see what's insi this tomb, 913 00:46:08,266 --> 00:46:10,800 I'm knocking on a door that will never open. 914 00:46:10,802 --> 00:46:13,302 At nabi musa, science and faith have reached 915 00:46:13,404 --> 00:46:16,405 An impasse and neither will yield to the other. 916 00:46:22,881 --> 00:46:26,115 But on my journey, I have se how science and faith 917 00:46:26,217 --> 00:46:27,516 Can intermingle. 918 00:46:28,853 --> 00:46:31,621 In an egyptian tomb in saqqara, I've learned tha 919 00:46:31,722 --> 00:46:34,924 A semitic man rose to great power in pharaoh's court, 920 00:46:34,926 --> 00:46:36,826 Just as moses did. 921 00:46:36,828 --> 00:46:40,229 Ancient monuments recounted israelites fleeing egypt 922 00:46:40,298 --> 00:46:41,898 Just as moses did. 923 00:46:41,900 --> 00:46:45,601 Again and again, verifiable historical event 924 00:46:45,603 --> 00:46:47,703 That echo the words of exodu 925 00:46:47,772 --> 00:46:49,972 Though the specifics are slightly different 926 00:46:49,974 --> 00:46:53,609 And the timing doesn't line to a single person's lifespa 927 00:46:53,711 --> 00:46:57,213 Is it possible that this is connected to the story of exodus? 928 00:46:57,315 --> 00:46:59,315 There's much work to be done. 929 00:46:59,317 --> 00:47:01,484 This is just the beginning of the story. 930 00:47:01,486 --> 00:47:04,220 My journey has also taught m that in this case, 931 00:47:04,289 --> 00:47:06,722 The literal is not all that matters. 932 00:47:06,824 --> 00:47:11,327 Here we have semitic people who are worshipping a cow goddess. 933 00:47:15,400 --> 00:47:18,601 The story of moses represent the movement of people 934 00:47:18,703 --> 00:47:19,969 And culture, 935 00:47:19,971 --> 00:47:24,273 With values that ring true across the human experience 936 00:47:24,275 --> 00:47:27,310 The moral urgency for man to live free. 937 00:47:28,613 --> 00:47:31,113 Laws that bind us not just to god, 938 00:47:31,215 --> 00:47:33,115 But to each other. 939 00:47:33,217 --> 00:47:36,085 And the importance of servic and humility, 940 00:47:36,087 --> 00:47:38,788 During even the most arduous of trials. 941 00:47:40,191 --> 00:47:43,526 We may never be able to pinpoint the historical moses, 942 00:47:43,528 --> 00:47:46,329 But his story shows us a real person. 943 00:47:46,998 --> 00:47:49,432 Someone just like you or me 944 00:47:49,701 --> 00:47:50,867 Proud, 945 00:47:50,869 --> 00:47:52,702 Maybe a little too stubborn 946 00:47:52,770 --> 00:47:56,806 But with the right guidance capable of greatness.