FIRST LOOK: Josh Gates Explores Historic Finds at Petra, One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, in New Season of Expedition Unknown Premiering Wednesday, October 9 at 9PM[...]

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In the season premiere of Expedition Unknown, adventurer Josh Gates is part of a historic discovery at one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, unsealing a long-buried tomb with the remains of 12 ancient skeletons beneath the iconic Treasury building in Petra, Jordan. The groundbreaking and historic excavation is revealed in a two-part episode airing Wednesday, October 9^th at 9PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel.

2,000 years ago, the enigmatic Nabataean Kingdom carved an entire city by hand into the walls of a desert canyon, placing at its center the magnificent structure known as "The Treasury." Though world famous as the cinematic resting place of the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the true purpose of the Treasury remains a mystery.

To solve that puzzle, a joint Jordanian/American project led by the American Center of Research's (ACOR) Executive Director, Professor Pearce Paul Creasman was given exceedingly rare permission to conduct a remote sensing scan and then dig beneath The Treasury. With Josh Gates on their team, they have made a stunning discovery: a buried tomb filled with at least a dozen Nabataean burials located directly beneath the building where more than a million visitors a year come to visit.

"We were absolutely stunned by the revelation of this hidden chamber," said Gates. "Since nearly all of the tombs at Petra have been found empty, this is perhaps the most significant tomb ever found at Petra and a discovery of historic proportions. The breakthrough could not only reveal the secrets of The Treasury above, it could also offer an extraordinary glimpse into the lives of the early Nabataeans who built Petra."

Archaeologist Pearce Paul Creasman added that "There is so much that we have yet to learn about The Treasury. When was this remarkable structure built, and why? Little did we know that this dig might completely change what we know about The Treasury and help solve the mysteries of the Nabataean people. With the support of the Jordanian government, this excavation is bringing us closer than ever to answers."

In an amazing coincidence, one skeleton in the chamber was found clutching a ceramic vessel which, at first glance, looked extremely recognizable. "When we spotted what looked like a chalice, all of us just froze," Gates said. "It looked nearly identical to the Holy Grail featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, set in the ancient building directly above the tomb. It was the ultimate moment of life imitating art." Detailed examination of the vessel reveals it to be the top part of a broken jug, likely dating to the first century BC.

Viewers can join the conversation on social media by using #ExpeditionUnknown, and following Discovery on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok and Expedition Unknown on Facebook and Josh Gates on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. 

EXPEDITION UNKNOWN is produced for Discovery Channel by Ping Pong Productions.

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