UNCOVERING THE BIRTH OF CHRISTIANITY: Discovery Presents ‘The Resurrection Tomb Mystery’
World Premiere Event Special Thursday, April 12 at 10pm e/p
March 29, 2012
(Silver Spring, Md.) Can an image and inscription found in a Jerusalem tomb constitute the oldest Christian art ever discovered and hold the key to the mystery of Jesus’ earliest followers? The answers are revealed in Discovery’s world premiere event special THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY airing Thursday, April 12 at 10pm e/p. The groundbreaking film probes what the concept of resurrection meant to the first followers of Jesus, offering dramatic archaeological evidence as to what the people who knew Jesus actually believed.
Review screener of THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY here: http://press.discovery.com/us/dsc/video/2254/?ref=p
In a thrilling CSI-style archeological/theological study, filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici and Professor James D. Tabor, with the permission of the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA), use a specialized robotic camera to explore the tomb’s contents, capturing incredible images of early Christian art including a depiction of Jonah being spat out by a whale. This art predates the earliest Christian symbol in the catacombs of Rome by at least 200 years, and is contemporary with Jesus’ apostles. In addition to THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY, Jacobovici and Tabor have detailed their findings in their new book The Jesus Discovery (Simon & Schuster, 2012) (http://books.simonandschuster.com/Jesus-Discovery/Simcha-Jacobovici/9781451650402).
“The discovery effectively pushes back the date on early Christian archaeological evidence by two hundred years. More significantly, it takes us back into the lifetime of Jesus himself providing incredible insight into strong, early beliefs in the Resurrection,” said Jacobovici.
The newly examined tomb, dubbed the “Patio Tomb” sits 200 feet away from the so-called “Jesus Family Tomb.” In 2007 this tomb received international attention with Jacobovici’s revelation that it contained ossuaries inscribed with names associated with Jesus and his immediate family. Critics dismissed the synchronicity of names as mere coincidence. Tabor and Jacobovici argue THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY reopens the historical discussion of the “Jesus Family Tomb” in context with the contemporary “Patio Tomb,” with its graphic evidence of belief in the resurrection of Jesus.
In THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY, the team explores the “Patio Tomb” containing several ossuaries, or bone boxes, two of which were carved with an iconic image and a Greek inscription. The carving on one ossuary depicts “Jonah and the big fish,” an image Jesus and his early followers called the "sign of Jonah" and connected to faith in his resurrection. On the other ossuary, is a four word Greek inscription which is bound to change our understanding of the birth of Christianity.
In THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY, Jacobovici and Tabor explain that there are several ways to read the inscription linking to Jesus. The most likely readings are: “The Divine Jehovah rises up from [the dead]” or “The Divine Jehovah rises up to the Holy Place” or “God, Jehovah, Raise up! Raise up!” or “Lord, Jesus, Rise up! Rise up!”
“Since the newly discovered ossuaries in the “Patio Tomb” can be reliably dated to before 70 CE (AD), when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, it provides the first evidence in Jerusalem of people who would later be called “Christians – people who arguably knew Jesus and heard him preach,” said Tabor.
THE RESURRECTION TOMB MYSTERY is produced for Discovery Channel by Associated Producers. Executive Producers are Simcha Jacobovici, Ric Esther Bienstock and Felix Golubev. For Discovery Channel, Simon Andreae is Senior Executive Producer and Howard Swartz is Executive Producer.
About Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.4 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com
About Discovery Communications
Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in 210 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 130-plus worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as US joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including HowStuffWorks.com. For more information, please visit www.discoverycommunications.com.