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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Archaeologists 'find Jesus' Holy Grail' under iconic Indiana Jones location
Archaeologists believe they have found the Holy Grail chalice beneath the iconic Jordanian Treasury, the incredible building used as the temple in the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade In a twist straight out of a Hollywood script, archaeologists have stumbled upon what they believe to be the Holy Grail beneath Jordan's iconic Al Khazneh, the very site that featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The Daily Mail reports that beneath the breathtaking facade of Petra's Treasury, a tomb containing 12 skeletons and various artifacts, including a chalice reminiscent of the legendary Holy Grail, was uncovered. This astonishing discovery echoes the adventures of Indiana Jones in the 1989 film where Harrison Ford's character unearths remarkable treasures, with Sean Connery by his side. Dr Pearce Paul Creasman from the American Center of Research (ACOR) and television explorer Josh Gates of The Discovery Channel were the brains behind this extraordinary find. Their work could illuminate the history of the Nabataeans, the advanced Arab people who constructed the architectural wonder. An episode of 'Expedition Unknown' on The Discovery Channel captured Gates' thrill at the "hugely rare discovery" set against one of the globe's most renowned structures, reports the Mirror US. Gates expressed his awe, saying: "Even in front of one of the most famous buildings in the are still huge discoveries to be made." The ACOR was given the nod by Jordanian officials to dig beneath the iconic Treasury in Petra, leading to some astonishing finds. Digging efforts captured by Expedition Unknown in August last year unearthed a dozen intact skeletons and a treasure trove of artifacts including bronze, iron, and ceramics. Due to Petra's changing flood patterns and humidity, several skeletons were discovered with mould on them. Among the relics was a chalice eerily reminiscent of the famed Holy Grail, an observation noted by Gates: "It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art." Previous excavations in 2003 had already hinted at hidden secrets when two tombs were discovered under Al-Khazneh's left flank, prompting Dr. Creasman and his team to suspect more treasures lay hidden. Ground-penetrating radar, which uses electromagnetic wave pulses to peep underground, revealed what could be unseen chambers flanking Al-Khazneh. The Holy Grail, the subject of numerous myths, legends, and Hollywood hits, traces its origin back to Jesus Christ's Last Supper, believed to have been used for sharing His blood. The chalice has evolved from its religious and mythical origins to become a symbol of immortal life in many narratives, extending its influence into a cultural phenomenon, capturing the imagination in an array of blockbuster movies. This was sparked off in Arthurian legends where the Holy Grail was frequently portrayed as a magical object with divine powers.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Holy Grail 'found' in 'awesome' discovery just like Indiana Jones
Archaeologists believe they've stumbled upon the Holy Grail of Jesus beneath the Jordanian Treasury, the same stunning building that doubled as a temple in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," marking an "awesome" moment of discovery. The scene at Al Khazneh in Petra, Jordan – famed as the Treasury and the Temple of the Sun in the Harrison Ford-starring flick – turned into a real-life echo of the movie's plot when archaeologists uncovered a previously unknown tomb. This remarkable discovery unearthed 12 skeletons and a treasure trove of artefacts, including a chalice that bears resemblance to the legendary Holy Grail, as reported by The Daily Mail. The find is reminiscent of the storyline from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, where the film's protagonist uncovers similar awe-inspiring relics in the 1989 hit, which also featured Sean Connery. Dr Pearce Paul Creasman from the American Center of Research (ACOR) and telly explorer Josh Gates of The Discovery Channel were the brains behind this sensational find, reports the Mirror US. It's thought that this could cast new light on the Nabataeans – the advanced Arab civilisation responsible for creating this architectural wonder. Gates was barely able to contain his thrill during an episode of The Discovery Channel's 'Expedition Unknown,' labelling it a "hugely rare discovery" right in front of one of the globe's most iconic facades. He said: "Even in front of one of the most famous buildings in the are still huge discoveries to be made." The Jordanian officials granted the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) permission to excavate beneath the Treasury in Petra, aiming to uncover any previously unknown chambers. These excavations in August last year were captured on camera by the 'Expedition Unknown' team and unearthed tombs containing 12 complete skeletons along with a treasure trove of intact bronze, iron and ceramic artefacts. Due to fluctuating levels of humidity and flooding, some of the skeletons were found with mould upon them. Amongst the finds was a ceramic chalice that remarkably echoes the depiction of the Holy Grail, leading Gates to say: "It really was this awesome moment of history imitating art." Back in 2003, other explorers found two tombs with skeletal remains under the left side of Al-Khazneh, sparking Dr. Creasman and his colleagues to think there could be more secret tombs lying in wait. With the aid of ground-penetrating radar technology, which sends out pulses of electromagnetic waves, they picked up indications of possible underground cavities flanking Al-Khazneh on both sides. The Holy Grail is intertwined with numerous legends, myths, and movies but its ancient origins trace back to the narrative of Jesus' Last Supper – specifically the cup used to share Christ's blood. In many tales, consuming from the Holy Grail or Chalice is believed to bestow immortality. Apart from Christian traditions and the scriptural tale, the Chalice has risen to a cultural zenith, its iterations widespread across an array of blockbuster cinema. This was initiated in Arthurian legends where the Holy Grail was frequently portrayed as a magical object with divine powers.
