Discovery Channel - Biblical Conspiracies (2014)

Science Channel, the network that dares to question everything, explores the science behind the faith in a four-part special event Biblical Conspiracies.

The greatest archeological finds and some of the most beloved icons of the Judeo-Christian religions are examined and age-old secrets explored. Could two twisted nails found in the tomb of the man who sent Jesus to the cross be the very same from the True Cross? Does a recently translated 6th century manuscript tell the true story of Jesus’ marriage to Mary Magdalene? And could a forgotten sculpture made by Michelangelo bring to light strange and long-buried religious practices from the time of Christ?

With the aid of cutting edge technology, we return to the crumbling tombs, palaces and ruins of the Holy Land, in search of ancient conspiracies hidden away for two thousand years and Science Channel will take us through all the ground-breaking mysteries behind the myths.

Part 1: Nails of the Cross
In 1990, the tomb of the High Priest Caiaphas – who according to the Gospels sent Jesus to the cross – was unearthed in Jerusalem. Along with other artifacts, two Roman nails were recorded in the official excavation report. The film tracks a 5-year investigation into these nails. Using electron microscopes and other state-of-the-art tools, scientists have made a remarkable discovery that proves beyond a doubt that the nails in question were used in a crucifixion. Could these be the nails used to crucify Jesus?


Part 2: Secrets of the Sculpture
Michelangelo’s magnificent sculpture – the Piet– is the most iconic image ever made of the Virgin Mary holding her crucified son. It may very well be the most famous sculpture ever. And yet, from the moment it was unveiled, it has held an enduring mystery. Why does the mother seem younger than the son? It may seem like an unanswerable question, but a new discovery hints at a millennia old secret. A terra cotta sculpture just attributed to Michelangelo contains a secret symbol that unlocks an untold story of murder, sex and politics with Michelangelo at its center.


Part 3: Secrets of the Crucifixion
This episode tracks several interrelated stories. These include the archaeological discovery in Jerusalem of the physical remains of “Mattathiah (Matthew) son of Judah”, also known as Antigonus, the last legitimate king of Israel, and the scientific investigation of a crucified hand – an unprecedented find – unearthed in Antigonus’ tomb. Can the scientific exploration of this find teach us how Jesus was crucified?


Part 4: Bride of God
Gathering dust in the British Library is an ancient manuscript of the early Church, written by an anonymous monk. The manuscript is at least 1,500 years old, possibly dating even further – back to the 1st century and the religious activism of Jesus of Nazareth. After millennia of rumours, this seems to be the first solid written evidence that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. The manuscript also recounts that the Magdalene was a gentile, that Jesus and Mary had children and that for their earliest followers they were Mr. and Mrs. Messiah.

Related Documentaries:
The Bible (2013)
Catholicism (2011)
PBS Nova - The Bibles Buried Secrets (2008)
National Geographic - Riddles of the Bible: Season 1 (2008)
National Geographic - Riddles of the Bible: Season 2 (2010)
National Geographic Classics - Biblical Mysteries (2006 - 2012)0
Channel 5 - Apocalypse Code: The Bible Prediction (2015)
BBC - Bible's Buried Secrets (2011)
ZDF - The Biblical Plagues: Series 1 (2014)
National Geographic - The Ten Plagues of the Bible (2008)
History Channel - The Egyptian Book of the Dead (2006)