Season 2

For millions, Jesus is both the Son of God and an actual historical figure. But what archaeological evidence exists about the real people and places that shaped his life? The investigation begins at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, supposedly built above Jesus’ burial place. Can a recent dig here shed light on this centuries-old mystery?

In Iraq, archaeologists search for clues to explain why the city of Babylon is a source of obsession for the writers of the Bible. Once a vast metropolis ruled by powerful kings, it appears throughout the Bible as a symbol of pride, corruption and divine judgment. Now, experts uncover the real city behind the ancient legend.

The Israelites’ conquest of Canaan while carrying the Ark of the Covenant is one of the Bible’s most famous stories — but there is little evidence it happened. Across the Holy Land, archaeologists dig for the truth in the ruins of ancient cities and find clues that upend the traditional portrayal of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land.

The legend of David and Goliath is one of the Bible’s most famous stories. It tells of a battle between a young shepherd and a towering warrior. Now, teams of archaeologists investigate the real locations behind this epic showdown.

The book of Revelation tells of an apocalyptic battle of good versus evil at the end of the world. It says the battle will happen in a place called Armageddon, but Armageddon is no myth. It takes its name from a real ancient settlement: Megiddo. Now, archaeologists investigate what happened here to inspire the dramatic Biblical tale.

Archaeologists investigate one of the greatest discoveries in history: the Dead Sea Scrolls. This remarkable haul of manuscripts includes the oldest copies of biblical texts ever found. Aided by cutting-edge technology, experts attempt to decipher who wrote the scrolls and why they were hidden in a series of desert caves for nearly 2,000 years.